18th century Overdoor with the Education of Bacchus Oil on canvas, 45 x 114 cm With frame, 56 x 131 cm The canvas in question, whose original function was probably that of an overdoor, presents an episode from the myth of the education of Bacchus; Bacchus was born from one of Zeus's most famous and tragic unions: that with Semele, a Theban princess. Semele, deceived by Hera, Zeus's jealous wife, asked the god to reveal himself in all his divine power to prove his love and presence to her. Zeus, bound by oath, agreed, but his true form – that of lightning – was too much for the mortal Semele, who died burned to death. To save his son, Zeus extracted him from his mother's dying womb and sewed him into his thigh, bringing him to full term. Bacchus's double birth symbolizes his exceptional nature and his connection to both the divine and earthly worlds. To protect him from Hera's revenge, Zeus entrusted the newborn to various custodians, represented in our painting, the Nymphs of Nysa, who feed him honey and milk, and the Satyr Silenus; Silenus, who teaches Bacchus not only the joys of wine and conviviality, but also the secrets of vine cultivation, wine production and, more generally, the mysteries of nature and life. Under his guidance, Bacchus learns to unleash passions and instincts, but also to channel them into forms of celebration and joy. In our painting, the little Bacchus reigns in the center of the scene and holds in his hands the thyrsus, a scepter made from vine shoots symbolic of his power: the child god is seated on a wheelbarrow pushed by the tutor Silenus; around them are presented two putti playfully tapping wine from a wooden barrel and a series of characters depicted in activities exemplifying the effects of drunkenness.