This is a drawing of a pastoral scene with mythological elements. The foreground features several figures reclining beneath the shade of large, flowing trees. At the center, two figures seem to be engaged in a serene interaction, perhaps sharing a drink from a large vessel. To the left, another figure lounges, holding a small cluster of grapes. The background shows distant, rugged mountains under a sky partially filled with clouds and sweeping lines. The use of ink and wash contributes to a classic, ancient feel, while the detailed rendering of the figures and foliage enhances the narrative quality of the drawing.
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This is a drawing of a pastoral scene with mythological elements. The foreground features several figures reclining beneath the shade of large, flowing trees. At the center, two figures seem to be engaged in a serene interaction, perhaps sharing a drink from a large vessel. To the left, another figure lounges, holding a small cluster of grapes. The background shows distant, rugged mountains under a sky partially filled with clouds and sweeping lines. The use of ink and wash contributes to a classic, ancient feel, while the detailed rendering of the figures and foliage enhances the narrative quality of the drawing.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

A Bacchanal

Giuseppe Nicola Nasini

Date
c. 1700
Medium
pen and brown ink with brown wash over traces of black chalk on laid paper, mounted on an old album sheet
Dimensions
sheet: 35.2 × 25.6 cm (13 7/8 × 10 1/16 in.) mount: 39.7 × 29.6 cm (15 5/8 × 11 5/8 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
2014.105.1
Credit line
Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
Time span
1651 to 1700
Department
CG-E

Subjects and terms

  • Woman
  • Tree
  • child
  • portrait
  • animal
  • Man
Provenance

Private Collection, France. (James Faber, Ltd., London); purchased 2014 by NGA.

NGA object ID 166126. 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.