How you can use this image
This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).
Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.
The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.
Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.
Buy a print or image licence
You can purchase this reproduction
If you have any products in your basket we recommend that you complete your purchase from Art UK before you leave our site to avoid losing your purchases.
Notes
Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.
This work depicts one of the most popular mythological themes for paintings from the late Renaissance onward: the love story between Bacchus, the god of wine, and Ariadne, daughter of King Minos of Crete. Bacchus discovered Ariadne on the island of Naxos, where she had been abandoned by the Greek hero Theseus, and fell in love with her.Bacchus, wrapped in his traditional leopard skin, here rushes towards Ariadne, who lies sleeping on a bed of sumptuous fabric. A cheetah bounds beside him, and his followers dance and play music. Two putti descend from above, one carrying a flaming torch as a symbol of Bacchus and Ariadne's love.This work has an unusual vertical format and almost half of the picture is taken up with trees and landscape, partially covered by the drapery on the left.
Title
Bacchus and Ariadne
Date
probably 1700-10
Medium
Oil on canvas
Measurements
H 75.9 x W 63.2 cm
Accession number
NG851
Acquisition method
Bought, 1871
Work type
Painting
The National Gallery, London
Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England
-
Diana and Endymion English Heritage, Kenwood -
Bacchus and Ariadne Chiswick House -
Cupid and Flowers Chiswick House -
Venus and Cupid Chiswick House -
The Judgement of Midas Christ Church, University of Oxford -
The Building of a Classical Temple in a Landscape Christ Church, University of Oxford -
Cupid before Jupiter (Central Section) Royal Academy of Arts - 36 more