Triomf van Bacchus, rechter plaat 1543

Cornelis Bos crafted this engraving, “Triumph of Bacchus”, brimming with symbols of ancient revelry. Here, Bacchus, god of wine, fertility, and theatre, is celebrated amidst his ecstatic followers. Note the thyrsus, the fennel stalk carried by Bacchus and his devotees, crowned with ivy and vine leaves, symbols of intoxication and liberation. This emblem is not merely decorative; it’s a conduit of Dionysian energy, a visual echo of similar staves seen in ancient Greek bacchanals. Consider how these ecstatic scenes connect to other images of frenzy across cultures. The motif of the maenad, the frenzied female follower, recurs throughout history, a powerful image of ecstatic release. The psychological weight of such imagery persists through time, surfacing in various guises—from medieval dance manias to contemporary performance art. Each era imbues the symbol with new meaning, reflecting collective desires and anxieties. The image reminds us that certain archetypes and emotional states resonate deeply, reappearing in different forms to capture the human psyche.