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.
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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.