Bacchanal 1760 - 1770

"Bacchanal," a drawing by Jean Jacques François Le Barbier, depicts a scene of revelry in the Roman tradition. The artist’s use of brown washes and pen and ink creates a sense of movement and energy. The drawing, dating from 1760-1770, shows a group of nude figures gathered in a landscape, celebrating with wine, music, and dance. The scene is set amongst classical ruins, adding to the theme of bacchanalian revelry, a subject popular in the 18th century. This drawing, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is a prime example of Le Barbier’s artistry, known for its refined lines and evocative imagery.