RICCI, Sebastiano
(b. 1659, Belluno, d. 1734, Venezia)

Sacrifice to Silenus

c. 1723
Oil on canvas, 56,5 x 73,5 cm
Gemäldegalerie, Dresden

In Greek mythology Silenus was a rural god, one of the retinue of Bacchus, a gay, fat old drunkard who was yet wise and had the gift of prophecy. On Ricci's picture the priest, touching the bust of Silenus, is blessing the kneeling people around him.