Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Bacchus and Infant Faun

This is part of a late 19th century sculpture by Frederick MacMonnies, on exhibition at the New Britain Museum of American Art.

There is something exuberant about Bacchus' expression that I like.  The faun does not seem happy to be in Bacchus' clutches.  That should bother me.

(Subsequent note:  This is actually Bacchante and the infant Faun.  In response to comments, I re-checked the label next to the statue, which I had also photographed.  I had wondered why Bacchus seemed so feminine . . . )

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18 comments:

  1. Cezar and LéiaJanuary 12, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    Wow thanks so much for taking me there with you in this exhibition, I love art and it's so interesting!
    Léia

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  2. MichelleJanuary 12, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    Interesting sculpture and good expression on the faces.

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  3. DawnJanuary 12, 2011 at 8:03 AM

    Thanks for sharing this....I would never had known it existed otherwise!
    Quite the faces!

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  4. SharonJanuary 12, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    Exuberant is a good way to describe it! I like that little glimpse inside the museum.

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  5. RandyJanuary 12, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    I think the faun is anticipating that it will be fed grapes.

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  6. HalcyonJanuary 12, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    Babies + wine typically do not mix. No wonder the poor thing looks so unhappy! :)

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  7. LynetteJanuary 12, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    Jack, I just saw a live shot of the snow in Hartford. What a mess y'all have. All we ended up with, I think but don't know for sure since I have not been outside yet, is rain at my elevation. Jeff Rosen just said you have 15 inches already. He's outside the state capitol building. Two to four inches an hour! I do hope you and yours are OK.

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  8. cieldequimperJanuary 12, 2011 at 1:05 PM

    I'm kind of shocked at Bacchus myself! Didn't imagine such a lovely lady...

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  9. RedPatJanuary 12, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    Lovely sculpture! I am glad you include the long view - I had thought it was a huge piece. Nice one.

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  10. BergsonJanuary 12, 2011 at 2:54 PM

    j'aime cette sculpture, elle a une tête amusante

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  11. Leif HagenJanuary 12, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    As a fellow "culture vulture," I would also enjoy a spin around that art display!

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  12. UnknownJanuary 12, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    If you haven't posted the bottom shot I would have never guessed (this) Bacchus is so small... :-) Great composition on top.

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  13. Youth_in_AsiaJanuary 12, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    The top photo makes it look so huge. It's a beautiful sculpture. Nice shot.

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  14. Oakland Daily PhotoJanuary 13, 2011 at 12:19 AM

    I thought Bacchus was a male figure. I guess my classical education is somewhat lacking.

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  15. VPJanuary 13, 2011 at 4:51 AM

    She is not Bacchus, but one of his followers, this is a 'Bacchante and Infant Faun'.

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  16. LowellJanuary 13, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    I often neglect to read labels. And that can lead to mistakes. But, hey, at my age, who cares? :-)

    Nice photos. Bacchus or Bacchante - I like.

    And I'm glad you found something to do in the cold and snow!

    I was supposed to golf this morning, but at 10 am it was still only about 30 degrees with a north wind. I canceled!

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  17. IlseJanuary 13, 2011 at 4:43 PM

    We have a sculpture that looks like this in the courtyard of the Boston Public Library, but without the baby. Must be the same artist.

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  18. CharlestonjoanJanuary 16, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    I like it! One handed baby holding - quite the trick!

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