Bacchus, Ceres and Amor

around 1600, Artist: Hans von Aachen

 

 

Bacchus, Ceres and Amor

The link between the wine god Bacchus and Ceres, goddess of the field fruits, is reminiscent of the theme from Terenz, “Sine Cerere et Baccho friget Venus” (Without Bread and Wine, Love Freezes). Aachen lends his own and his wife’s features to the mythological figures. The boy resembles Aachen’s son. The motive could hint at the famous painting by the Greek painter Zeuxis who painted a boy with grapes so convincingly that birds picked at the painted fruits.

Location: Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Kabinett 22

Object data

Object Name

Painting

Culture

German

Dated

around 1600

Artist

Hans von Aachen (1552 Köln - 1615 Prag) - GND

Material

Canvas

Dimensions

163 cm × 113 cm
Framed (gallery frame): 180,4 cm × 131,7 cm × 9 cm

Signed

"HVA" monogrammed at the top right of the pillar

Image rights

Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Gemäldegalerie

Inv. No.

Gemäldegalerie, 1098

Provenance

Probably from the collection of Emperor Rudolf II; 1621 from Prague;

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