BACCO
MICHELANGELO'S BACCHUS OF 1497 WAS COMISSIONED BY CARDINAL RAFFAELE RIARIO. THE YEAR BEFORE, RIARIO HAD BOUGHT AN 'ANTIQUE' CUPID THAT HE RECOGNISED AS A FAKE BUT OF AMAZING QUALITY. HE DISCOVERED THAT THE 21 YEAR OLD MICHELANGELO WAS THE SCULPTOR AND HE DECIDED TO COMMISSION A BACCHUS FROM HIM. THUS STARTED THE FLORENTINE MASTER'S ROMAN CAREER.
THIS YOUNG BACCHUS IS CLEARLY DRUNK AND SWAYING WITH MOVEMENT. HE'S WELL INTO THE PARTY.
ROBERT MAPPLETHORPE'S GRAPES OF 1985 ARE A DARK MODERN EVOCATION OF THE SPIRIT OF BACCHUS. WHILE THE DANCER MICHAEL CLARK WITH A GLASS OF RED WINE IN 1989 IS MORE A BACCHANTE RESTING AFTER THE DANCE. MICHELANGELO'S BACCHUS LEANS FORWARD AND HAS A SMALL SATYR BEHIND HIM AS A COUNTER-BALANCE TO STOP FALLING OVER. HE IS BLOATED AND CURVACEOUS. HIS PENIS WAS BROKEN OFF BY 1530 BUT HIS LARGE BALLS ARE STILL INTACT.