The Triumph of Bacchus

Contemporary art is, in more ways than one, a reflection of older art. It may be of this era, but it is, as all things are, a culmination of history. Contemporary art not only utilizes elements from Renaissance and Baroque art, but also encompasses similar themes of social issues and sometimes even religion. A reference to religion and a nod to the expressive colors of Renaissance and Baroque artwork is evident through one particular painting that I love: The Triumph of Bacchus by Bob Thompson. This work is a clear example of the effect of Renaissance and Baroque artwork on Contemporary artwork. This depiction of the Roman God of wine is reminiscent of a painting that a wealthy merchant may have appreciated in the 1600s, and its vibrant hues depict passion and emotion that would often have been expressed through other methods (such as the techniques of Chiaroscuro and Mannerism) in Baroque paintings. As I delved deeper into the history of this painting, I found that there is a painting by Baroque artist Diego Velázquez by the same name.

As I viewed both paintings in contrast, I found that they greatly resembled each other. Though Velázquez’s version utilizes more somber and dark colors than Thompson’s vibrant work, in both paintings there are figures grouped together around the main figure, Bacchus, the Roman God of wine. In both Velázquez’s and Thompson’s works, different techniques are utilized in order to display a focus on Bacchus. In Velázquez’s work, Chiaroscuro is used in order to display this focus. In Thompson’s work, Bacchus is seated on a form that resembles a throne with a form on his head that appears to be a crown. Another interesting contrast between both works is that in Thompson’s work many of the figures are animals, when in Velázquez’s work they are all human. This interpretation that Thompson creates may be a commentary on the figures in Velázquez’s work, otherwise known as The Drunks (based on the painting’s popular name, Los Borrachos). Therefore, through comparing and contrasting these two works, it is evident that Contemporary art utilizes elements from Renaissance and Baroque art. Through this we are able to learn an important lesson that extends beyond art: We can always learn from the past.