Staande Bacchus - Abraham de Moor

A detailed red chalk drawing of the Roman god Bacchus, created by Dutch artist Abraham de Moor in 1679.

This red chalk drawing by Abraham de Moor, dated 1679, depicts the Roman god Bacchus in a circular format. The composition focuses on the figure of the deity, who is shown with traditional attributes associated with his role as the god of wine and fertility. De Moor employs the sanguine technique to build form through delicate hatching and cross-hatching, creating a sense of volume within the figure. The artist captures the soft musculature and the flowing drapery with precision, demonstrating the technical skill common among Dutch draughtsmen of the late seventeenth century.

The inclusion of grapes and foliage surrounding the figure provides a narrative context, linking the subject to the harvest and the natural world. The circular frame suggests this work may have been a preparatory study for a decorative medallion or a ceiling element, a common practice for artists working within the European tradition of the period. The signature and date are clearly visible on the left side of the composition, confirming the provenance and the specific period of its creation.

De Moor, a Dutch artist active during the latter half of the seventeenth century, demonstrates a clear understanding of classical iconography. The drawing reflects the period's interest in mythological subjects, rendered with a focus on anatomical accuracy and balanced composition. The use of red chalk, or sanguine, allows for a warm, tonal quality that defines the contours of the figure against the negative space of the paper. This print offers a clear view of the artist's hand, preserving the immediacy of the original sketch while maintaining the clarity of the finished design.