Bacchus and Ariadne 1696 - 1770

Giovanni Battista Tiepolo made this pen and brown ink drawing, Bacchus and Ariadne. It captures a moment of transformation, echoing the opulence and dramatic flair characteristic of the Rococo period. In the narrative, Ariadne, abandoned by Theseus, is rescued by Bacchus. We witness the moment when Bacchus offers her immortality through marriage. Tiepolo captures this pivotal moment with a light touch, yet the scene is imbued with emotional intensity. Ariadne looks up with an expression that could be hope or trepidation. Consider the power dynamics at play here. Ariadne’s fate shifts from abandonment to divine union, yet her agency remains ambiguous. Tiepolo, as a man of his time, might not have questioned the patriarchal structures embedded in such myths. But today, we can reflect on how these stories perpetuate certain gender roles and expectations. This drawing invites us to consider the complexities of love, power, and transformation, both within the artwork and in our own lives.