Reliëf van een bacchanaal, Vaticaan c. 1857 - 1875

This photograph of "Reliëf van een bacchanaal, Vaticaan" was taken by James Anderson in the 19th century. The image captures a moment of ancient revelry, a bacchanal frozen in monochromatic tones. The relief is presented as a frieze wrapped around what appears to be an altar or pedestal. Anderson's lens focuses on the interplay of light and shadow across the sculpted forms, where figures are densely packed, their bodies intertwined in dynamic poses. We see an engagement in the semiotics of classical art. The scene and characters may challenge established norms, and categories of social order through its portrayal of ecstatic ritual. The photograph serves as a study in form, inviting the viewer to consider how Anderson uses composition and lighting to interpret and re-present a classical artwork for a contemporary audience.