Aldo Cazzullo (photo by Carlo Furgeri Gilbert).
“Mto these I am not a shepherd and a nymph, I am Bacchus and Ariadne! ».
As soon as Francesca Cappelletti, the director of the Borghese Gallery (possibly the most beautiful place in the world), saw it coming the traditionally titled Titian canvas Nymph and shepherdkept at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna and exhibited in Rome until 18 September, he immediately noticed some details.
The “shepherd” is crowned with ivy and vine leaves; and the “nymph” rests on the skin of a spotted beast.
Both are attributes of Dionysus (Bacchus for the Latins)the nocturnal and lunar god of wine, intoxication, mysteries, sensuality.
And the naked girl could just be Ariannaabandoned on the island of Naxos by Theseus, and suddenly awakened by the sound of the musical instrument of the shepherd, or of Bacchus (as you prefer).
It is not a pilgrim to see or imagine in the background just hinted at by an now old Titian – who paints with large brushstrokes if not with his hands, blending each color into the other – a stormy sea and the ship of the ingrate (Arianna to help Theseus had put his own life at risk) that goes away.
The experts will express themselves on Professor Cappelletti’s hypothesis. For what it matters, I find it convincing. Also because she brings attention to the theme of the “seduced and abandoned” woman. A hendiadys that evokes romance novels and forgettable films.
In reality, a sign of man’s ruthlessness, which Dante had already grasped. It is no coincidence that he puts another hero of the Greek myth, Jason, in Hell, among the seducers and pimps. Guilty of having seduced and abandoned Princess Isifile, leaving her “pregnant, alone”; “And even Medea takes revenge.”
Medea, the sorceress, the villain par excellence, the “unnatural mother”, is not in Hell; in Hell there is the man who betrayed her.
Fortunately, sometimes there is a second chance; Like this Ariadne loses Theseus, but conquers Bacchus; and Tiziano sided with her, in fact he paints her beautiful.
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