The drunken Silenus, accompanied by nymphs and satyrs 1632

Willem Panneels made this print, The Drunken Silenus, in the early 17th century. It depicts a scene from classical mythology, with the elderly, intoxicated Silenus supported by nymphs and satyrs. Produced in the Netherlands, this small print reflects the period’s fascination with antiquity, but also, I think, wider social attitudes to the body. Consider the overt display of flesh, the emphasis on pleasure and revelry. The culture of the Netherlands at this time was marked by a tension between the pleasures of life and the restraints of a strong Protestant work ethic. Prints such as this one circulated widely, making classical imagery accessible to a broad audience. They were often collected in albums, used as models for other artworks, and disseminated by institutions to teach people about art. Understanding this work requires understanding its cultural context, and knowing something of the history of printmaking, the artist's sources, and the role of classical imagery in the 17th century.