11. The Dreaming Silenus

Art Gallery of Ontario

11 The Dreaming Silenus, c. 1610-12 SASHA SUDA: In The Dreaming Silenus, we encounter this god who reports to Bacchus - himself the chief partier - drunken after a long night of revelry. Behind Silenus himself, we see two satyrs, both of whom are still indulging, and in the center right of the painting, we have a quite incredible still life. That includes contemporary glassware, tableware and other objects that would have been collected extensively in 17th century Antwerp. NARRATOR: The beautiful panther beside Silenus was probably painted in by Rubens’s friend Frans Snyders, who specialized in animals. He and Rubens could have seen real exotic animals in the royal collection in Brussels, as well as in prints and books. SASHA SUDA: One can't help but think that he could pounce at any moment, and all of these very fragile objects on the table could be destroyed. It's a painting that reminds us that happiness, indulgence, calm, can be momentary. But it also celebrates the everyday life and indulgences of those people who would commission such a painting.