Italian, Venice
Mirror (Specchiera): Bacchus and Ariadne, 19th century
Gilded poplar and mirrored glass, 80 x 87.6 cm (31 1/2 x 34 1/2 in.)
This Italian mirrored glass is framed in an ornate gilded poplar frame. The horizontal mirror depicts Ariadne and Bacchus. Ariadne is on our left dressed in flowing robes and holding a circle of stars in her right hand. Her hair is pinned above her head. Her head is turned to gaze at Bacchus. Bacchus is on the right dressed in flowing robes and looking at Ariadne. In one hand he holds a shell that has a liquid flowing out of it and a vine with flowers in his other hand. Both figures are nude from the waist up, with cloth over their shoulders. Trees and bushes are along the horizon, with a tree in the middle between Ariadne and Bacchus. A few clouds are roughly sketched in the sky. This mirror has an ornate poplar frame with carved and gilt vines and flowers that are grouped in the middle at the top, center bottom and corners.
Raphael Room
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.