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

Bacchanal in Honour of Pan

c. 1716
Oil on canvas, 84 x 100 cm
Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice

This is an elegant painting of almost neoclassical taste that transforms the savage scene of the bacchanal into gracious cameos, as can be seen in the bleeding lamb's head held up by a charming ribbon by the putto on the right.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 7 minutes):
Camille Saint-Saëns: Samson et Delila, Act III, Scene 2, Bacchanal