Bacchanal 1610 - 1642

"Bacchanal" is a 17th century etching by French artist Pierre Brebiette. The print depicts a scene from Roman mythology featuring a group of Bacchantes, female followers of the god Bacchus, reveling in a boat. The imagery is filled with a sense of movement and energy, with the Bacchantes dancing and singing while a putto (winged child) soars above them with an arrow and bow. Brebiette's detailed depiction of the figures and their garments highlights his skill as a draftsman, while the use of hatching and cross-hatching creates a sense of depth and texture. This print, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, showcases the artist's mastery of the etching technique.