Mythological Subjects.

217. Bacchanalians Dancing. This, like others already described, has reference to the worship of Pan, whose statue is placed at the side. The composition consists of ten figures grouped in front of a temple. Among these, the nearest to the spectator are a nymph (seen in a profile view) and a satyr sitting together on the ground; the former has a beautiful youth, perhaps intended for Bacchus, lying asleep on her lap, and is in the act of taking a cup of wine from a sylvan attendant, while the latter is caressing her: beyond these are a nymph and a faun dancing to the sound of a pipe, played by a youth standing at the side, leaning against a tree. The remaining figures consist of three infants round a large vase near the statue of Pan. Engraved by J.

Mariette.

A picture corresponding with the preceding is in the collection of David Bevan, Esq.

218. A Bacchanalian Revel. Among the several figures composing this picture, are a bacchante and a nymph sitting together; the latter is playing an instrument of music, in which she is accompanied by bacchanals, and to the sound of which several are dancing. A statue of Pan is placed at the side, which a bacchante is decorating with flowers. Another group of sylvans is seen at some distance dancing. The personification of the God of Day adorns the upper hemisphere. Extracted from the catalogue.

2 ft. 9 in. by 3 ft. 8 in.-C.

Now in the collection of the Duke of Brunswick, Saltzhalen.

219. Sylvans adoring Pan. Two nymphs, each bearing an infant in her arms, are here represented bending on their knees before a statue of Pan, and two other nymphs are approaching with offerings; these are followed by a faun

Mythological Subjects.

and a young female, the former has his arm round her waist; the latter carries an incense vase in her hands: above are seen two cupids, one holding a torch, the other a bow and an Extracted from the catalogue.

arrow.

2 ft. 9 in. by 3 ft. 7 in.-C.

Now in the collection of the Duke of Brunswick.

220. Nymphs, Satyrs, and Fauns. This subject appears to have reference to the nurture and education of Bacchus, for a beautiful infant, resembling that deity, is seen standing behind a nymph, who sits on an elevation in the centre of the group. The attention of both of them is directed to a satyr, who is on his knees raising a horn to his lips. A second nymph sits at the feet of the former, with a large vase in her hand; and close to the front are two bacchanalian boys lying on the ground, one of whom is asleep. At the extremity of the group, on one side, is a faun with a basket of fruit on his shoulder, and on the other side is a second sitting on the ground, partly concealed by the satyr. Engraved by J. Mariette.

221. A Bacchanalian Dance and Revel in Honour of Pan. This chef d'œuvre of art is a highly classic and poetical exposition of the mystic rites of the sylvan deity, so emphatically described by Milton: "And universal Pan, knit with the Graces and the Hours in dance, led on the eternal spring." The principal group consists of two nymphs and two fauns (emblem of the four seasons), dancing joyously in a ring. While thus performing their rounds, one of the former is squeezing the juice of grapes from her hand on two bacchanalian boys, who are struggling together to catch it; a third, overcome with its potent effects, lies asleep near

Mythological Subjects.

them. In the opposite side is a statue of Pan adorned with flowers, in front of which is a satyr endeavouring to embrace a nymph, who in her struggles has fallen. One of her companions has seized the sylvan by the horn, and is about to inflict a blow on him with an empty golden vase, but is prevented by the postrate female, and also by one of the dancers. A thick grove bounds the view on this side, and on the right the eye looks over a rocky landscape, represented under the aspect of a fine evening. Engraved by Huart, De Paray, and S. S. Smith.

sale, by Mr Hamlet, who, in 1826, sold it, together with the Bacchus

and Ariadne, by Titian; and Christ appearing with his Cross to St. Peter, by Caracci; to the Directors of the National Gallery, for 70001.

222. A Bacchanalian Revel. A picture so described was put up at sale in the collection of J. Troward, Esq., in 1807, and knocked down for the sum of 1500 gs.

223. A Bacchanalian Scene. A picture so styled was sold in the collection of Henry Penton, Esq., 1800, for 580 gs.

224. A Nymph with Satyr and Cupids. This sylvan subject represents a satyr bending on his knees, while a naked nymph mounts on his shoulders, and at the same time is

Mythological Subjects.

motioning her hand to a cupid, in front of them, to advance; the latter carries a pan pipe under his arm, and a torch on his shoulder; another boy is behind the nymph, with wreaths of flowers in his hand, with which he is about to adorn the sylvan couple; they are also followed by a faun bearing a basket of fruit on his shoulders. This picture is painted in the artist's clear and most esteemed manner. Engraved in mezzotinto by P. F. Tassaert, from a picture then in the collection of John Blackwood, Esq.

3 ft. 3 in. by 2 ft. 6 in.-C.

Now in the collection of the Earl of Darnley, at Cobham.

225. A Nymph with a Satyr and Cupids. This excellent. picture corresponds very near with the preceding. The chief variations consist in a cupid, who appears to be assisting the satyr to rise with his lovely burden. The faun, instead of a basket of fruit, bears a quanity of gold and silver vessels on his back. Engraved by Blot.

3 ft. 1 in. by 2 ft. 4 in.-C. Now in the Gallery at Hesse Cassel.

Worth 400 gs.

226. A Nymph riding on a Goat. The composition consists of five figures, representing a beautiful nymph in a state of nudity, attempting to ride on a goat, in which she is assisted by a faun who is on the farther side of her. A cupid is flying before them, holding the end of a band of flowers attached to the horns of the animal. Close to them are a bacchanal boy and an infant satyr fighting; the latter is thrown down in the combat. The landscape exhibits a rocky scene with a tree near the front, among the branches of which the vine grows

Mythological Subjects.

luxuriantly. This admirable example of the artist's pencil was formerly in the cabinet of M. Dufournay, and subsequently in that of the President Tugny.

It was sold by auction in 1751, for 860 fs., 341.

Worth 3007.

Now in the Palace of the Hermitage, at St. Petersburgh.

227. A Nymph with a Cupid and Satyr. This expressive allegory of the power of Love is, with suitable propriety, introduced in a beautiful landscape, which may justly be styled the fabled groves of Arcadia. The omnipotent infant is represented holding Pan, or a satyr, by the beard, and presenting him prostrate on his knees to a beautiful nymph, who is recumbent on the ground attended by a second cupid; a little retired, on the opposite side, is a naiade reclining on a bank, with a vase in her hand, from which flows a rippling stream. 3 ft. 1 in. by 4 ft. 1 in.-C.

Collection, anonymous, by Mr. H. Phillips, 1829.

Now in the collection of the Earl of Northwick.

228. A Nymph and a Satyr. The view is chiefly composed of some high rocks, in front of which is seated a beautiful nymph holding a vase between her knees. She is quite naked, and seen in a profile view; her attention is directed to a satyr, who sits before her in the act of drinking from a vase, in which he is assisted by a bacchanal boy, who is holding up the foot of the vessel. A gold bowl is placed on the ground, at the side of the female. This very excellent picture is engraved by Coelmans, in the gallery of M. Boyer.

2 ft. 6 in. by 2 ft. 1 in.-C.

Worth 300 gs.

Now in the Palace of the Hermitage, at St. Petersburgh.