Thorvaldsen Plaque - Cupid and Bacchus.

Plaster cast of a Neoclassical plaque, after Bertel Thorvaldsen (C18/19) - considered by many to have been the greatest sculptor in Europe after the death of Antonio Canova.

In this exquisite bas-relief scene, the mythological god of wine - Bacchus, is shown offering a young Cupid - the God of love, a bowl of wine from which to drink - alluding to the symbiosis between the two. It was a generally espoused view in the Classical world that wine and love were intertwined - even mutually dependent. In the Athenian dramatist Euripides’ tragedy “Bacchae” there is a line which translates to - “When wine is gone, there is no more Cypris (/Aphrodite i.e. love), nor anything else to delight a mortal heart.”   In creating this sculpture, part of a series of four, Thorvaldsen specifically drew inspiration from the sixth century B.C. Ionian poet Anacreon, whose verse celebrated and explored the co-dependency of love and wine.

In contrast to various Baroque representations of Bacchus and Cupid which have a more wild and frenzied quality, Thorvaldsen’s composition here is notable for its serene and peaceful air - a Neoclassical restraint, where the two Gods are shown in a co-operative, quiet and calm scene - Cupid, portrayed with youthful innocence, gently drinks from the cup that he is being offered, from a patient reclining Bacchus, as opposed to frantically firing arrows from his bow, or Bacchus in the midst of more chaotic, animalistic scenes of pleasure / disinhibition.

The original work from which the piece is cast was first executed in plaster in around 1810 and then in Carrara marble in the 1830s. The original plaster models are held by the Thorvaldsen museum in Copenhagen.

Sublime, atmospheric sculptural details, with certain sections of the relief figures springing outwards from the plaque, verging towards alto-relief.

Dimensions (cm): width 71cm x height 52cm x depth 4.5/4cm plaque at edge and 8/9 including figures.

To the rear, hand-initialled and stamped with the Alexander Griffin maker's mark, and fitted with brass-wrapped steel-core wire for wall hanging from a single screw / nail / hook. Every cast is made by hand by Alexander, with a 4/6 week lead time. For more urgent orders please enquire.

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