The Rule of Bacchus [left panel]

Albrecht Altdorfer, c. 1535

This painting displays a nude male figure with a robust physique floating in the sky in a circular, glowing yellow aura. He has a wide, bearded face, light skin, and white hair adorned with a garland of green leaves. He is holding a jug in one hand from which a dark liquid appears to be pouring out, and in the other hand he holds a branch with clusters of dark fruit. The sky around the central man includes billowing grey clouds. Below him, a crowd of similarly unclothed individuals with light skin are depicted standing on a grassy ground, raising various drinking vessels. Many of them also wear garlands made of green leaves. Some people on the right appear to be struggling, with one person holding a knife or dagger. At the top of the painting is a pale-yellow section with faint words on it.
Artist
Albrecht Altdorfer
Date
c. 1535
Type
Painting
Medium
oil on hardboard transferred from panel
Dimensions
39 × 15.9 cm
Collection
National Gallery of Art, Washington
Licence
Public domain, CC0

Image description

This painting displays a nude male figure with a robust physique floating in the sky in a circular, glowing yellow aura. He has a wide, bearded face, light skin, and white hair adorned with a garland of green leaves. He is holding a jug in one hand from which a dark liquid appears to be pouring out, and in the other hand he holds a branch with clusters of dark fruit. The sky around the central man includes billowing grey clouds. Below him, a crowd of similarly unclothed individuals with light skin are depicted standing on a grassy ground, raising various drinking vessels. Many of them also wear garlands made of green leaves. Some people on the right appear to be struggling, with one person holding a knife or dagger. At the top of the painting is a pale-yellow section with faint words on it.

Albrecht Altdorfer