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Description: | The Bacchus and Ariadne by Sebastiano Ricci (1659-1734) at Chiswick House is one of three paintings commissioned by Lord Burlington for his new home, from the Venetian artist during his brief residency in London from 1711/12-1716. These works are among the artist's finest achievements. Their classical style is characterised by simplified linear tension in the modelling, a bright to warm palette and a facility for technical virtuosity. In the Chiswick Bacchus and Ariadne the harmonious results of Ricci's style - influenced by Veronese, the Carracci and Luca Giordano - are evident in the classically structured, animated composition and palette. Following Ovid's description of this Arcadian episode in the Metamorphoses, Ricci sets the protagonists of his scene on a beach of the Greek island of Naxos. Painted in clear warm tones Ricci represents the moment of their marriage following their reunion. Ariadne, partially draped, holds out her hand for Bacchus to place the wedding ring on her finger, he wears a red mantle and a leopard skin that alludes to his journey to the east, as well as his usual attribute a wreath of vine leaves. An attendant figure wearing a wreath of white roses (emblematic of purity) and carrying a flaming torch (symbolic of ardent love) alludes to the quality of the protagonist's union. Above Ariadne's head, a cupid holds a crown of stars alluding to the constellation that Bacchus was to name after his bride. Like Ricci's other mythological paintings for Lord Burlington at Chiswick this picture celebrates classically idealised love. The classicising frame for this painting was designed by William Kent for the work's display in Chiswick House. It is prominently dated 1729. | Subjects: | mythology (Bacchus and Ariadne) | Source: | Vads | Creator: | Artist: Ricci, Sebastiano (Italian painter and draftsman, 1659-1734) Æ | Identifier: | http://www.vads.ac.uk/large.php?uid=8730... | Go to resource |
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