Bacchanal

Two satyrs are transporting Bacchus, the drunken god of wine, on a cart while a third is dribbling grape juice into his mouth; all are part of a Bacchic procession. On the right side, a woman is gazing out of the composition with a markedly reserved air: Lightly dressed in classical costume, her left breast is exposed; the wand twined with vine leaves in her hand identifies her as either a bacchante – a devotee of the god – or his lover, Ariadne. It is, in fact, a self-portrait of the artist. Considering the topic of the painting, this is highly unusual. For a female artist to depict herself in such a setting documents both courage and irony.