Seascape with Bacchus and Ariadne 1742

Claude Lorrain created this engraving, *Seascape with Bacchus and Ariadne*, sometime in the 17th century. During this period, known as the Baroque era, European art and culture were heavily influenced by the aristocracy. Here, Lorrain uses a mythological narrative to reflect the elite society of his time, a society that often saw itself as the rightful inheritor of classical culture. This representation invites us to consider not only the romanticized vision of the past, but also the power dynamics at play. Who gets to tell the story? Whose voices are amplified, and whose are silenced? The figures of Bacchus and Ariadne, set against the vast seascape, evoke themes of love, abandonment, and transformation. Lorrain’s idealized landscape serves as a stage for these dramas, all while subtly reinforcing the social hierarchies of his day. As you stand here, reflect on how artworks like this can simultaneously offer beauty and uphold complex social narratives. How do we engage with the aesthetic pleasure while remaining critical of the underlying cultural messages?