Bacchus and Pomone 

Gerard de Lairesse painted this image of Bacchus and Pomone, gods of wine and fruit, in the Netherlands, probably sometime in the late 17th century. We can understand it as a product of the cultural institutions that shaped artistic production at the time. This painting is done in the style of classicism which was very popular in the Dutch Republic. Note the idealized figures, theatrical compositions, and references to mythology and classical antiquity. This reflects the impact of academies and the art market. Artists like de Lairesse were responding to a demand for paintings that reflected classical learning and sophistication. Wealthy patrons were eager to acquire these types of works in order to show off their status and knowledge. Today, scholars examine the impact of art academies, the patronage system, and the expanding art market using archival documents, letters, and contemporary art criticism. The meaning of art is always contingent on these factors.