Standbeeld van Bacchus op een tijger 1636 - 1647

Editor: We’re looking at “Statue of Bacchus on a Tiger” a graphite and ink drawing on paper from between 1636 and 1647, by Cornelis Bloemaert, currently held at the Rijksmuseum. The god of wine seems contemplative here, not necessarily jovial, as he sits on a remarkably calm tiger. What does this image convey to you? Curator: Well, it immediately speaks to the complexities of Baroque-era art, particularly how classical figures like Bacchus were reinterpreted through the lens of shifting social and political ideals. Bloemaert is not simply representing a mythological figure. Editor: What do you mean? Curator: The public role of art at the time was intensely political. The statue depicted here may be Roman, from antiquity. Bacchus, often a symbol of unrestrained joy and earthly pleasure, is notably subdued here. Is he a reflection of how artists and their patrons negotiated power? Did powerful families view him as the patron of their luxurious, privileged lives? Who exactly did this piece speak to? Editor: So the act of depicting Bacchus in a certain light would directly tie to the social standing of the intended audience? Curator: Precisely. Furthermore, Bloemaert’s choice of drawing, intended for printmaking, broadens the circulation. How does the distribution of the artwork further expand the patron's influence or reinforce dominant cultural narratives? Think about that. Editor: So it is more about power and less about godly, wine-infused ecstasy. I hadn’t thought about how its role within the cultural discourse really shifts the tone. Thanks, I’ve learned a lot today. Curator: Me too. I’m curious to learn more!