Bacchus, Venus and Cupid
around 1595/1600 | Hans von Aachen
Bacchus the Wine God has approached Venus seductively from behind. His hand grasps her right shoulder, his look strays over her revealed body. In his left hand he holds a wine glass, which Aachen contrasts with a slab of stone down to the left (which also bears the artist’s monogram): liquid wine or solid stone – sensual pleasure or steadfastness – the choice has not yet been made.
Bacchus the Wine God has approached Venus seductively from behind. His hand grasps her right shoulder, his look strays over her revealed body. In his left hand he holds a wine glass, which Aachen contrasts with a slab of stone down to the left (which also bears the artist’s monogram): liquid wine or solid stone – sensual pleasure or steadfastness – the choice has not yet been made.
Artist:
Hans von Aachen (1552 Köln - 1615 Prag) DNB
Time:
around 1595/1600
Object Name
Painting
Culture
German
Material/technology:
Canvas
Dimensions:
63 x 50 cm
Framed: 77,5 cm × 63,7 cm × 7 cm
Signed
"HVA" inscribed at the lower left corner of the stone slab with the monogram "HVA"
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Gemäldegalerie
Invs.
Gemäldegalerie, 1132
Provenance
1783 documented in the gallery