Adriaen de Vries x Charles Ray
Adriaen de Vries
Bacchic Man: Lomazzo Personifying the Accademia della Val di Blenio, cast circa 1578-1580
© Hill Art Foundation; Photo by Matthew Herrmann
Charles Ray
Golden jewelry
Gift to the artist’s wife
© Charles Ray; Courtesy of the artist and Matthew Marks Gallery
“A common theme regarding the Bacchic Man and Charles Ray’s Golden Jewelry is that of decadence and excess. The Bacchus’ pose speaks of leisure and comfort- despite the garishness of his mask, he appears relaxed, and regards his audience almost lazily. Furthermore, the abundance of grapes at the Bacchus’ feet is reminiscent of wealth and luxury.
The Golden Jewelry is decadent in nature – cast in a precious metal, portraying what seems to be a discarded, half eaten apple, which speaks to the luxury of waste and recalls the haphazard placement of the grapes in the Bacchus’ hands and in the barrel which he rests his leg on.”
Sophie Foley, Teen Curator 2019-2020