Caravaggio's Bacchus

 Caravaggio. Bacchus.

Caravaggio is named one of the most controversial artists in history, partially because of the crude fusion of the divine and the almost vulgar realism often present in his work. One of the examples of such composition is Bacchus, Caravaggio's early work commissioned by Cardinal del Monte. In the painting a young man is portrayed lounging beside a basket of fruit and a carafe of wine. He appears to be satisfied and relaxed, offering the viewer a glass of wine of which he, evidently, has had plenty.

The young man is purported to be the Greek god, Dionysus (Bacchus for Romans). A major feature of the painting is the prosaic portrayal of the deity. One the one hand, Caravaggio uses several techniques common to religious paintings of the Baroque period. For example, chiaroscuro, a technique of creating a strong contrast between light and dark tones, makes Bacchus' figure appear transcendental with its light glowing palette against the deep dark ocher of the background. The garland of grape crowns the boy's head as he delicately holds the glass of wine, as is appropriate for the god of grape harvest, wine and ecstasy. On the other hand, many details of the composition make the character appear rather earthly. The color constitution of the figure reveals ruddy face and hands, while the rest of the body is noticeably lighter, possibly implying that the boy earns a living by working out in the sun (gods are unlikely to burden themselves with labor). The color of the sheet upon which the boy lounges unveils it's stale and worn condition, similar to that of the dirty mattress peeking from underneath. The basket in front of Bacchus is overflowing with fruit. A closer look reveals, however, that the fruit is overripe and rotten, possibly depicting the fleeting nature of life and everything material.

Bacchus was created while Caravaggio was under Cardinal del Monte's patronage. The painting was commissioned to satisfy Renaissance Humanism interest of the Cardinal and his erudite circle. Cardinal was known to hold extravagant gatherings at his residence. Bacchus, for instance, was created at one of such gatherings, where Mario Minniti, a half-drunk teenager then (prominent Italian artist later) posed as a model for Caravaggio (it is known that Mario Minniti modeled for several other paintings by Caravaggio). Cardinal del Monte commissioned about 40 painting from the artist. Effeminate young men were frequent subjects of these works. Considering that Cardinal also threw parties where young men dressed up as women, it is often thought that he had homosexual tendencies. Same is often said about Caravaggio, many of whose paintings depict emasculate, scantily clad young boys. The artist was described by contemporaries as a harshly down-to-earth, unconventional and brute man. These qualities have found their way into the artist's work: even in religious-themed paintings Caravaggio refrained from the perfection, smooth lighting, harmony and mannerism common to the works of Rafael and Michelangelo. Instead he focused on the flaws and limitations of the human nature.

Although Bacchus has no clear references to monetary matters, it displays the nature of materialism innate to money. For centuries money, though useful as it is, has been regarded as a source of everything evil, vulgar and vile. Everything saint, noble and quintessential exists separately from materialistic affairs. Such view was illustrated in the works of mentioned Raphael and Michelangelo where people are portrayed in brilliant colors, often deluged in the bright and clear daylight, their poses gracious and their faces saintly. These paintings are distinct by color balance and harmony arranged in delightful intangible patterns. Just like materialism spoils highest virtue and nobility, Caravaggio's realism brings the saints down to earth. He degrades them to the level of our mortal nature by making them vulnerable to human vices like gluttony, lust and imperfections of physicality, all present in Bacchus. The artist shows that humans (represented by Bacchus) are easily lured into simple pleasures, which are affordable for a small pay, unlike the gods who perceive these pleasures as secondary to their virtuous grandeur.

Ignoring the rules of other geniuses of art, Caravaggio brought materialism, realism and emotional candor into the classical art and forever changed its course.