Sketch after Titian - Bacchus and Ariadne - 19th century

A lovely sketch sublimated by a very nice American case, using the "mise au carreau" technique, of an oil on canvas representing "Bacchus and Ariadne" an original oil painting by Titian (1522-1523).

Tiling is a very old academic drawing technique.
Used by the greatest artists throughout the ages, this ingenious method makes it possible to easily reproduce an image to scale, to enlarge or reduce it while keeping exactly the same proportions.

Period: First third of the 19th century
Dimensions : Height : 40cm x Width : 53cm x Depth : 4,5cm
Author : Anonymous

This oil on canvas is one of the largest works by Titian on display in the National Gallery in London. It illustrates a story told by the classical authors and Roman poets Ovid and Catullus. 

The Cretan princess Ariadne has been abandoned on the Greek island of Naxos by Theseus, whose ship is sailing away. Bacchus, god of wine, falls in love with Ariadne at first sight and jumps from his chariot towards her. 
Later, Bacchus throws Ariadne's crown into the air, immortalising her in the form of the constellation Corona Borealis, represented by the stars above her head.

This painting is part of a famous series by Giovanni Bellini, Titian and the Ferrarese artist Dosso Dossi, commissioned by Alfonso I d'Este, Duke of Ferrara, for the Camerino d'Alabastro (Alabaster Room) of the Ducal Palace of Ferrara, a private room in his palace in Ferrara decorated with paintings based on classical texts.
An advance payment was given to Raphael, who originally held the commission for the subject of a Triumph of Bacchus. 
By the time of Raphael's death in 1520, only a preliminary drawing had been completed and the commission was then given to Titian.

The third and admirable "Bacchanal" expresses the Dionysian exuberance of Titian's mythological painting. 

A great deal of rigour and greatness of soul emanates from this preparatory work, which undoubtedly led to the creation of a magnificent and masterly canvas worthy of its author.
macos/deepLFree.translatedWithDeepL.text