Bacchus
Courtesy of Tim Ellis (Flickr CC0)

Michelangelo’s “Bacchus” sculpture is a testament to the artist’s genius. It is a masterwork of symmetry and balance that transcends the classical Greek style. No sculpture existed like this before, and it remains unmatched.

The statue represented “Bacchus” as a drunk young god staggering and struggling to hold the cup straight while a little faun sitting on a log eating the grapes is on the left. Michelangelo’s dynamic work expressed an intricate relationship between the Greek God of Wine and the faun, giving a sense of wavering and fragility of a drunk’s typical movement.

Bacchus
Courtesy of A. Currell (Flickr CC0)

The passion, discreet but evident, exudes from it is one of the distinct attributes of Michelangelo’s work. His work exemplifies a mixture of physical realism, psychological insight, and intensity never before known, making him one of the Renaissance’s greatest artists.  Drunkenness was never typified with such accuracy.

While many people believe that the accumulation of rare items will eventually be worthwhile and yield financial security, some collectors want prestige and recognition. Every collector item has a unique story, but every individual collector of Michelangelo’s “Bacchus” has nostalgic reasons for their hobby.

Michelangelo’s “Bacchus” is the creation of a visionary artist. It was completed in 1497. The history and practice of sculpture have an intricate variety that stands apart from other visual-art forms.

Since sculptures are three-dimensional pieces of art, they can bring a person closer to the humanity of the object depicted. In the case of the “Bacchus,” walking around the Greek God of Wine can elicit a myriad of emotions. The faun’s admiration for the god is as tangible as the longing in Bacchus’ eyes gazing at the cup in his right hand.

In sculpture, a single unique object can be reproduced in a limited, numbered edition of identical multiples. The fabrication and editioning of a sculpture include bronze casting and other materials, but it could also include three-dimensional printing and rapid prototyping. Each object is numbered and goes with a certificate of authenticity.

The appeal of Michelangelo’s “Bacchus” may be more in its humanness than its divinity, making it a desirable high-end limited edition collectible that will bring value and enjoyment for many years to come. It will be a true family heirloom.

Written by Janet Grace Ortigas
Edited by Cathy Milne-Ware

Sources:

Totally History: Bacchus
Investopedia: Contemplating Collectible Investments; by Andrew Beattie

Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Tim Ellis’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of A.Currell’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License


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