Skip to Main Content

Figure Group of Bacchus and Ariadne

c. 1759
Germany, mid-18th century
soft-paste porcelain
Overall: 25.4 x 18.8 x 16.9 cm (10 x 7 3/8 x 6 5/8 in.)
Gift of A. & R. Ball 1946.221
Location: 216A French and German
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.

Download, Print and Share

Did You Know?

This object’s molding and all-white design is characteristic of blanc de chine, the French term referencing the highly prized porcelain produced in the southeastern Fujian province of Dehua, China, known for its pure color and high degree of translucence.

Description

Porcelain figurines decorated the tabletops and living spaces of wealthy Europeans. Though seen in three-dimensions, their inspiration was often drawn from two-dimensional print sources. Swathed in flowers, this figure group depicts Cretan princess Ariadne pouring a drink for the Roman god of wine, Bacchus. Their pose and surrounding scenery was based on an etching by French engraver Jacques Philippe le Bas.
Figure Group of Bacchus and Ariadne

Figure Group of Bacchus and Ariadne

c. 1759

Orléans Porcelain Factory

Germany, mid-18th century

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

    Contact us

    The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@clevelandart.org.

    To request more information about this object, study images, or bibliography, contact the Ingalls Library Reference Desk.

    All images and data available through Open Access can be downloaded for free. For images not available through Open Access, a detail image, or any image with a color bar, request a digital file from Image Services.