This stage like portion of the mural from the Cult of Bacchus fresco shows a young satyr being offered a bowl of wine by Silenus, companion to Bacchus, while behind him, another satyr holds up a frightening mask which the drinking satyr sees, along with his reflection in the bowl. The layers of human activity- Silenus looks “off stage” at someone in another scene of the mural, the young satyr looking into the bowl sees his reflection along with the mask, neither of which we the viewing audience can see, and the satyr behind him looking at us, is a precursor for Baroque painting many centuries later in which layers of depth are alluded to through the flat 2D surface.
Similarly, my proposed composition for Autumn, River Road, which will be installed on the landing of the new town hall, allows the viewing audience to step into the composition and examine its many layers from within. Walk down the road, rest at one of the fences or sit on the rock wall for a spell and enjoy the view. I am even thinking of adding my self-portrait to the painting, which will really follow along with the composition of the Bacchus fresco.
Cult of Bacchus fresco, c. 101 BCE. Villa of the Mysteries, Pompeii, Italy.
Autumn, River Road painting proposal for Topsfield Town Hall. To be installed, October, 2018.
