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The sculpture depicts a central female figure partially draped, elevated, and supported by two male figures with goat-like legs and horns. The subject matter is presented in a round medallion format made from white marble. The intricate detailing of the figures, with carefully carved hair and musculature, gives a sense of realism. The medallion is encased in a round, ornate frame with a gold and embellished border and mounted on a simple wooden stand. This composition creates a bas-relief effect, with the figures standing out against a marble background, offering a three-dimensional visual experience from the front perspective.
National Gallery of Art · Sculpture
Bacchanal
French 19th Century, after Jean Honoré Fragonard
- Date
- 19th century
- Medium
- marble
- Dimensions
- overall: 30 x 33 cm (11 13/16 x 13 in.)
- Classification
- Sculpture · Relief
- Accession number
- 1942.9.108
- Credit line
- Widener Collection
- Time span
- 1776 to 1800
- Department
- CSD
Subjects and terms
- French
- classical
- mythology
- Bacchanal
- French Sculpture of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries
Provenance
Prince Stirbey. (Gimpel and Wildenstein, New York); sold 5 November 1904 to Peter A. B. Widener, Lynnewood Hall, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; inheritance from Estate of Peter A. B. Widener by gift through power of appointment of Joseph E. Widener, Elkins Park, Pennsylvania; gift 1942 to NGA.[1] [1] Provenance from Widener card file and catalogue notes, in NGA curatorial files.
NGA object ID 1247. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.