Bacchus and Ariadne

Pointing to the departure of Theseus, who has abandoned her on the island of Naxos, Ariadne is comforted by Bacchus. He is identified as the god of wine by the grapes and vine leaves in his hair, and the "thyrsus", the staff topped with vine leaves. Ariadne holds the gold crown with stars which she will receive at the time of her marriage to Bacchus; it will later be set in the heavens as a constellation. Frame: running moulding with press-moulded composition ornament, gilded. France, early 19th century