Pan met bacchante en vruchtenkorfdragers

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso, gestempeld: Lugt 240

Art Historical Context

This engraving by Michel Dorigny captures a lively mythological scene featuring the god Pan alongside a Bacchante and attendants bearing baskets of fruit. Created between 1626 and 1665, the work reflects the enduring appeal of classical themes in 17th-century European art, where gods and followers of Bacchus symbolized abundance, revelry, and the natural world. Dorigny’s precise linework brings dynamic energy to the composition, inviting viewers to appreciate both the narrative and the decorative qualities of the print. As an engraving measuring 258 by 201 millimeters, this piece highlights the medium’s important role in sharing artistic ideas across Europe during the Baroque era. Engravings allowed intricate designs to be reproduced and collected widely, making mythological subjects accessible beyond the walls of palaces and churches. The presence of a collector’s mark on the reverse further underscores its history as a valued object among print enthusiasts. Dorigny’s treatment of these figures blends graceful movement with rich detail, characteristic of the period’s interest in lively, sensual interpretations of ancient myths. Such works continue to offer modern audiences a window into the cultural fascination with classical antiquity and the technical artistry of printmaking.

About the Artist

Michel Dorigny · 1616–1665

French painter. Comment on works: Painter; History; Portrait; Engraver; Religious; Mythology; Draughtsman