Bacchante 1800 - 1849

"Bacchante" is a pen and brown wash drawing by English artist William Etty, dating from 1800-1849. The drawing, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, depicts a female bacchante, a follower of the god Bacchus, dancing and playing a tambourine. Etty's work, known for its detailed depiction of the human figure and its emphasis on sensuality, captures the energy and joy of the bacchanalian scene. The drawing's loose, gestural lines and subtle washes create a sense of movement and vitality. This work, like many of Etty's drawings, serves as a study for a larger painting, showcasing the artist's meticulous attention to detail and his mastery of the human form.