Bacchus, Vénus et Ariane - Placido Costanzi (1702-1759)

Bacchus, Venus and Ariadne
Placido Costanzi (Rome, 1702-1759)
Oil on canvas
18th century
Canvas cm. 40 x 30
Frame cm. 57 x 48
Excellent condition

Written Expertise by Prof. Ferdinando Arisi

This lovely 17th century canvas depicts the god Bacchus, accompanied by his festive entourage, approaching the beautiful Ariadne who is lying naked and stretched out on the shores of the island of Naxos, just abandoned by Theseus. The Goddess Venus invites Bacchus to join the girl and places the crown on her that will transform into the constellation of Corona Borealis. Bacchus, struck by Ariadne's beauty, falls in love at first sight and after marrying her, takes her on a chariot pulled by leopards towards Olympus.
The iconography of the painting in question is very rare and does not refer to a particular event in the mythological story of Bacchus and Ariadne.
The large canvas "Bacchus, Venus and Ariadne" by Tintoretto exhibited in Venice in the Palazzo Ducale is famous.

Another rare and very suggestive prerogative of our canvas is the nocturnal setting, which allows the author to give the scene a magical charm, with the naked bodies of the attractive female protagonists illuminated by a highly effective light in the darkness of the night.
The work is a splendid sketch made by Placido Costanzi (Rome 1702-1759), specialized in the creation of mythological scenes, an excellent exponent of Rococo painting in the Capital. Although it is a preparatory painting for a large canvas, the Master gives the scene an excellent chromatic and volumetric rendering, perfectly conveying the idea of ??what the final result will be.
The conditions are excellent, in the absence of restorations and with an old relining.
A beautiful gilded frame from the 19th century perfectly completes the work.