The triumph of the infant Bacchus, who is being pulled along in a chariot by putti playing musical instruments

Art Historical Context

Behold *The Triumph of the Infant Bacchus*, lively 16th-century engraving1545–65) that a whimsical procession from classical mythology. Designed by Flemish artist Nicolaes de Cler, with influences from Italian Mannerist Rosso Fiorentino and engraved by French master René Boyvin, this measures an elongated 3 7/8 × 20 7/8 inches. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum Art's Drawings and Prints, it exemplifies the collaborative spirit of Renaissance printmaking, where painters' visions were transformed into widely distributable works via intricate metal-plate incisions. At its heart, the scene depicts the baby god Bacchus (Dionysus), Roman deity of wine and revelry, joyfully riding a chariot pulled by playful putti—chubby, winged cherubs—each blowing horns or strumming lyres. This "triumph" motif echoes ancient Roman victory parades, reimagined in Mannerist style with exaggerated grace, dynamic movement, and decorative flourish. Engravings like this democratized elite art, allowing collectors across Europe to own sophisticated imagery without original paintings. Boyvin's precise technique shines in the fine lines and textures, from the putti's rippling muscles to Bacchus's draped vines, highlighting engraving's rise as a virtuoso medium during the Reformation era. A delightful fusion of Northern and Southern European tastes, it invites us to revel in the era's love for myth, music, and merry abandon.

About the Artist

Nicolaes de Clerck|Rosso Fiorentino|René Boyvin (Dutch|Italian|French) · 1526 |1494 |1525 –1626 |1540 |1598

Dutch, active 1599–1626|Italian, Florence 1494–1540 Fontainebleau|French, Angers ca. 1525–1598 or 1625/6 Angers