Three Dancing Bacchantes

Thorvaldsen found the motif for this drawing during his visits to the Villa Borghese in Rome. It formed part of Felice Giani’s decorations on the first floor there and dated from 1782-85. Music and dancing were the central motifs in this decorated ceiling. Related Bacchantic and Bacchantic-inspired motifs are repeatedly found in Thorvaldsen’s later works.