The ‘Procession of Bacchus’ painting was created by Frans Franken Jr., a pupil of Peter Paul Rubens. He was from a prominent family of Antwerp artists, the son of painter Frans Franken Sr.
The work of the Flemish artist was extremely popular at that time. He created altars and painted furniture panels, but he is best known for his small and delicate ‘cabinet’ pictures with historical, mythological, or allegorical themes. He was a frequent collaborator of other genres specialists — landscape painters, animalists, interior painters.
In 1605, Frans Franken Jr. joined the Guild of Saint Luke in Antwerp. Later, he became Deacon of the Guild. Frans Franken Jr. was a universal artist, worked in different genres, and introduced innovative Flemish Fine Art techniques. He triumphed and became very successful. The painter managed a large workshop where artists subsequently produced many copies of his original compositions.
Peter Paul Rubens (whose student was Frans Franken Jr.) laid the foundations of Flemish painting, set the tone and direction — exuberant colorful multi-figure Baroque. Baroque paintings are characterized by magnitude, grandiose scale. Though the canvas of Frans Franken Jr. is small, it gives the impression of the grandeur of the procession, as it is that multi-figure and sophisticated in composition. ‘The procession of Bacchus’ refers to the mature creative work of the artist, when his brush has already acquired freedom, and bright colors have the iridescence of enamel.
The scene of a magnificent festival, arranged in honor of Bacchus, the ancient god of vegetation and winemaking, unfolds before the audience. Bacchus is one of the most popular gods of Ancient Greece, the son of Zeus and Semele. He was not within the main gods. The procession in his honor was full of religious ecstasy and festivity. The procession was attended by the retinue of Bacchus: goat-legged satyrs, bacchantes dressed in the skins of wild animals, wreaths of ivy, and animals. The participants of the procession indulged in unbridled fun, drank young wine, danced, and played musical instruments. Such that Bacchanalias was the initial driving force behind the development of the theatre.
The work of the Flemish artist was extremely popular at that time. He created altars and painted furniture panels, but he is best known for his small and delicate ‘cabinet’ pictures with historical, mythological, or allegorical themes. He was a frequent collaborator of other genres specialists — landscape painters, animalists, interior painters.
In 1605, Frans Franken Jr. joined the Guild of Saint Luke in Antwerp. Later, he became Deacon of the Guild. Frans Franken Jr. was a universal artist, worked in different genres, and introduced innovative Flemish Fine Art techniques. He triumphed and became very successful. The painter managed a large workshop where artists subsequently produced many copies of his original compositions.
Peter Paul Rubens (whose student was Frans Franken Jr.) laid the foundations of Flemish painting, set the tone and direction — exuberant colorful multi-figure Baroque. Baroque paintings are characterized by magnitude, grandiose scale. Though the canvas of Frans Franken Jr. is small, it gives the impression of the grandeur of the procession, as it is that multi-figure and sophisticated in composition. ‘The procession of Bacchus’ refers to the mature creative work of the artist, when his brush has already acquired freedom, and bright colors have the iridescence of enamel.
The scene of a magnificent festival, arranged in honor of Bacchus, the ancient god of vegetation and winemaking, unfolds before the audience. Bacchus is one of the most popular gods of Ancient Greece, the son of Zeus and Semele. He was not within the main gods. The procession in his honor was full of religious ecstasy and festivity. The procession was attended by the retinue of Bacchus: goat-legged satyrs, bacchantes dressed in the skins of wild animals, wreaths of ivy, and animals. The participants of the procession indulged in unbridled fun, drank young wine, danced, and played musical instruments. Such that Bacchanalias was the initial driving force behind the development of the theatre.
