Bacchus and Ariadne

Curatorial Overview

“When Bacchus arrived on the island of Naxos, he found the beautiful daughter of Minos, Ariadne, who had been abandoned by Theseus. Bacchus married her and her crown was transformed into a constellation by Jupiter. In the present picture Bacchus, wearing vine leaves in his hair, places a ring on Ariadne's finger. The subject was treated by Pellegrini a number of times. The present picture may date from after 1721, following Pellegrini's return to Venice and his extensive work in England, Düsseldorf, the Low Countries, and Paris.”