Bacchic art

A satyr

Drunken silenus on a donkey terracotta statuette, 3rd century B.C.

Bacchic art refers, in general, to art honouring the god Bacchus, but in specific to representations, particularly sculpture, of his followers, such as satyrs, centaurs and hermaphrodites.^[1] (For this reason, ancient Greek plays are not often referred to as Bacchic, although many were performed in his honour.) Bacchic art is often erotic or intentionally shocking, often focusing on seduction or rape. Most of the finest examples date from the Hellenistic period, though the Lycurgus Cup is from Imperial Rome.

References

1. Roberts, Helene E., ed. (1998). Encyclopedia of comparative iconography: themes depicted in works of art. Fitzroy Dearborn. pp. 97–99. ISBN 1-57958-009-2.