Triumph of Bacchus

Overview Triumph of Bacchus Luigi Frullini Italian ca. 1890 On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 556 The central scene of this relief shows the Triumph of Bacchus. The wine god symbolizes the unrestrained life force that is also made manifest in the spiraling fruit and flowering branches. The presence of hounds, hare, and stag, refers to the hunt symbolizing a darker side of nature and death. Called the Donatello of wood-carvers, the Florentine Luigi Frullini was celebrated for his virtuoso Renaissance revival carvings that often combined naturalism and fantasy. A frequent participant in international exhibitions, the artist’s work was celebrated throughout Europe and the United States. Given the prominent place of Frullini’s signature, it is possible that this panel was exhibited at one of these expositions. View more