Bacchanal 1745 - 1765

This etching, "Bacchanal," was created by Louis Félix de La Rue between 1745 and 1765. The artwork depicts a scene of revelry and debauchery, a common theme in Bacchic imagery, which refers to the Roman god of wine and revelry, Bacchus. The print's dynamic composition and expressive lines capture the energy of the drunken celebration, with figures engaging in a variety of actions, from dancing to fighting, all within a lush, forested setting. De La Rue's "Bacchanal" exemplifies the artist's talent for capturing the spirit of human behavior through expressive line work, a characteristic of his brief but notable career.