Photographed by Scott Wolff. Color corrected by Pat Cagney

Bacchus and Ariadne

Artist Luca Giordano (Italian, 1634-1705)

Dateca. 1685-1686

MediumOil on canvas

Dimensions48 × 69 in. (121.9 × 175.3 cm)
Overall, Frame: 64 × 84 × 5 1/2 in. (162.6 × 213.4 × 14 cm)

ClassificationsEuropean art

Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Object number71.650

Terms

Mythology
Blue
White
Yellow
Brown
Green
Pink
Late Baroque
Florentine
Florence

Collections

European Art before 1945

On View

On view

DescriptionThis is an oil on canvas painting illustrating the first meeting of Ariadne, the daughter of King Minos of Crete, and Bacchus, the god of wine. Ariadne was deserted by Theseus after helping him escape the Labyrinth. In the painting, she sadly sleeps by the water's edge, heartbroken; putti, satyrs, Bacchus and other celebrants sneak up on the slumbering Ariadne. Bacchus falls in love with her, forecast by the crown of stars above her, and they marry.

Label TextLuca Giordano Italian, 1634–1705 Bacchus and Ariadne, ca. 1685–86 Oil on canvas Go big or go home—that is the message of Luca Giordano’s heartfelt scene. It depicts the beautiful Ariadne sleeping as her fickle lover Theseus abandons her (you can spot his ship sailing away in the background). Seeing her by the water, the wine god Bacchus rushes in with his entourage to proclaim his love. The crown of stars above them foretells the success of his romantic gesture; once wed, Bacchus will place Ariadne’s wedding crown in the sky where it becomes the constellation Corona Borealis. Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.650