Poussin, Nicolas (1594-1665) Le Triomphe de Silène (The Triumph of Silenus) c.1636 Oil on canvas, 142.9 × 120.5 cm National Gallery, London This playful scene celebrates Silenus, companion to Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and drunkenness. Silenus, a naked old…
Alma-Tadema, Lawrence (1836-1912) A Priestess of Apollo c.1888 Oil on canvas, 34.9 x 29.8 cm Tate Britain, London In Roman mythology, Apollo was the sun god who lived in Mount Olympus, and who, in the guise of the sun, rode his…
Tiziano (c.1488-1576) Bravo (The Bravo) c.1515–1520 Oil on canvas, 77 × 66.5 cm Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna Titian intensifies the close-up half-figure action picture developed by his teacher Giorgione into concentrated drama. The three-quarter portrait of the vine-leafed protagonist contrasts with the…