Bacchus and Leopard
Author: Unknown
Origin: Unknown
Dating: 18th-19th century (?)
Material: Oil on Canvas
Dimensions (cm): 81,2 x 66,3
Inv. no.: PDdep0024
Bacchus (the equivalent of Dionysus in Greek mythology) is known as the Roman god of wine, a bohemian and festive figure who represents leisure, pleasure, revelry and folly.
There are several legends about his birth. In Roman mythology, Jupiter impregnated Semele who, encouraged by the jealous Juno, asked the god to show himself in all his splendour. He tried to dissuade her, but in vain. When he appeared in his divine form, Semele, as a mortal, could not bear this vision and was struck dead by a thunderbolt. Fearing that his son would die, Jupiter removed him from the ashes and placed him in his thigh to finish his gestation.
Legend has it that, as an adult, Bacchus found a green plant, deciding to store it inside the bone of a bird to protect it. When the plant grew, he decided to transplant it to the bone of a lion. Then, as it no longer fit in that casing, he placed it inside the bone of a donkey. Bacchus, upon noticing its fruits, tasted them, saving some to eat little by little. The wine is said to have formed from the juice of the stored berries.
“This succession of “receptacles” for the vine represents – according to mythology – the different phases of wine consumption: first, one feels joy (as joyful as the flight of birds), then the beverage gives strength and courage (like a lion) and, finally, it leads to banal behaviour (like that of a donkey).
Out of envy and jealousy for Jupiter’s son, the goddess Juno turned Bacchus into a madman, forcing him to wander the world. Nevertheless, he always managed to evade her relentless pursuit and began cultivating vineyards across the globe.
According to the legend, he transformed into a lion to devour the Giants (mortal beings of divine origin) who threatened Jupiter. After the victory over the Giants, he became the most powerful god, second only to Jupiter.
Another curious fact on Bacchus relates to his protagonism in the literary work Os Lusíadas (The Lusiads), by Luís de Camões. In the verses of the Portuguese 16th century epic poem, Bacchus tried to prevent the Portuguese from reaching India.
