Michelangelo, Bacchus, 1496-7, Flashcards
Q: What is the subject of Michelangelo’s Bacchus and what inspired it?
A: The sculpture depicts Bacchus, the Roman god of wine. Inspiration comes from Pliny the Elder’s Natural History, which describes a lost bronze by Praxiteles depicting “Bacchus, Drunkenness, and a Satyr.”
Q: Describe the key elements of Bacchus’ subject matter.
A: Bacchus holds grapes and a goblet, symbolizing wine, while struggling to balance them. A satyr stands behind him eating fallen grapes, and Bacchus holds a tiger skin, one of his attributes
Q: How is the drunken state of Bacchus represented?
A: Through contrapposto and a teetering pose, he appears off-balance. His rolling eyes and leaning body emphasize intoxication, creating a sense of instability and sensuality.
Q: What is unique about Bacchus’ physical representation?
A: The semi-idealized nude has plump flesh, creating an androgynous quality. Vasari noted the combination of “the slenderness of a young man” and “the roundness of a woman.”
Q: How does the detail in Bacchus’ hair contribute to the sculpture?
A: The ivy wreath in his hair, sacred to Bacchus, adds a divine attribute and displays detailed craftsmanship. Drill marks are visible, emphasizing Michelangelo’s early technique.
Q: What was Michelangelo’s context when he sculpted Bacchus?
A: Michelangelo moved to Rome at 21 after Lorenzo de’ Medici’s death. Rome offered opportunities to study and work with all’antica sculptures.
Q: Who commissioned Bacchus, and why was it rejected?
A: Commissioned by Cardinal Raffaele Riario, it was rejected possibly due to its androgyny or failure to meet classical ideals. It was later purchased by Jacopo Galli.
Q: How does Bacchus reflect Renaissance humanism?
A: The mythological subject and naturalistic depiction of Bacchus align with humanist ideals, emphasizing both divine and human traits, as well as the dignity of man.
Q: How does Neoplatonism influence Bacchus?
A: Charles Carman links Bacchus’ drunkenness to Neoplatonic “divine madness,” suggesting spiritual ascension through intoxication. Pico della Mirandola also saw drunkenness as a pathway to divine understanding.
Q: How does Bacchus balance pagan and Christian ideas?
A: Michelangelo reconciles pagan myth with Christian Neoplatonic thought, reflecting Jacopo Galli’s connections to a circle of Christian Neoplatonists.
Q: What material was used for Bacchus, and why is it significant?
A: Tuscan Carrara marble, known for its quality and association with classical sculpture, aligns the work with Renaissance ideals.
Q: How does Michelangelo’s technique emphasize Bacchus’ instability?
A: Extreme contrapposto and a lifted foot create a precarious balance. The tree stump and satyr act as stabilizing counterweights.
Q: What are key textural details in the sculpture?
A: Varied textures contrast the rough tree stump with Bacchus’ polished, sensuous skin. Drill marks in hair and eyes highlight Michelangelo’s early technique.
Q: What were the motives for Bacchus’ patronage?
A: Commissioned for Cardinal Riario’s garden of antiquities, it aimed to complement his classical sculpture collection. Rejected, it was later placed in Jacopo Galli’s garden.
Q: How did later damage and restoration affect Bacchus?
A: By the 1530s, it lost the goblet hand and penis. Only the goblet was restored, possibly to enhance its antique appearance when displayed among Roman fragments.
