Antiek standbeeld van Bacchus 1679

Etienne Baudet created this print of an antique statue of Bacchus in the late 17th or early 18th century. It offers us a glimpse into the cultural and institutional values of the time. France, during this period, was deeply influenced by classical antiquity. The rediscovery of ancient texts and artworks shaped artistic and intellectual life. The image of Bacchus, the god of wine, fertility, and theatre, was especially potent in a society that had a complex relationship with pleasure and excess. The statue itself, likely part of a noble collection, embodies the prestige associated with classical knowledge and its role in shaping contemporary taste. Prints like this one circulated amongst collectors. The print's detailed rendering suggests a desire to document and disseminate knowledge of classical sculpture. By studying such images and their circulation, we can better understand the social conditions that shaped artistic production and the value placed on ancient heritage.