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The sculpture depicts six cherubic children surrounding a reclining, bearded, adult male figure with visible goat legs and small horns, alongside a nearby goat. The children interact with the central figure and the goat in various postures, creating a lively scene. The piece is carved from a pale, creamy material with a smooth, finely detailed texture. The overall sculpture presents an intricate arrangement of figures, capturing a harmonious and playful moment.
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The sculpture depicts six cherubic children surrounding a reclining, bearded, adult male figure with visible goat legs and small horns, alongside a nearby goat. The children interact with the central figure and the goat in various postures, creating a lively scene. The piece is carved from a pale, creamy material with a smooth, finely detailed texture. The overall sculpture presents an intricate arrangement of figures, capturing a harmonious and playful moment.

National Gallery of Art · Sculpture

Bacchanalian Frieze

Gerard van Opstal

Date
mid 17th century
Medium
ivory
Dimensions
overall: 11.5 × 30 × 2.5 cm (4 1/2 × 11 13/16 × 1 in.)
Classification
Sculpture
Accession number
2022.181.79
Credit line
Gift of Robert H. Smith/Robert H. Smith Collection
Time span
1551 to 1600
Department
CSD
Original NGA record

Subjects and terms

  • Flemish

NGA object ID 138849. 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.