The Infancy of Bacchus

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Louis de Boullogne the Younger
Born Paris, France, 1654-1733

The Infancy of Bacchus, 1700-1710

Oil on canvas
Presented by Mrs Chapman, 1899
Museum Number 189-1912

Boullogne was inspired by Ovid - a Roman poet whose classical legends had a huge influence on European art. Bacchus was the Roman god of wine and was brought up by woodland spirits, nymphs and satyrs. His mentor and faithful companion Silenus, always depicted as a drunkard, is shown on his donkey.