Cy Twombly's Bacchanalia series, created in 1977, is a profound exploration of themes revolving around Bacchus (Dionysus in Greek mythology), the Roman god of winemaking, fertility, madness, and religious ecstasy. This series forms a part of Twombly's extensive engagement with classical history and literature throughout his career, manifesting in works that often respond to contemporary political events with reflections on ancient myths and legends.
The Bacchanalia series, specifically, can be seen as Twombly's meditation on the nature of excess, madness, and the cyclical nature of containment and release. Art historian Malcolm Bull has described the abiding theme of these paintings as a force of madness rising, akin to a fire emerging from the depths of the sea, symbolizing an unbroken circuit of excess where each attempt at containment leads to further spillover (Christie's).
One of the works from this series, "Bacchanalia - Fall (5 Days in November)," created with oil, chalk, pencil, gouache on Fabriano paper, and tape, measuring 101 x 150 cm, is not currently on display but is part of the collection at the Museum Brandhorst in Munich. This work, like others in the series, showcases Twombly's signature use of gestural forms, lines, and scribbles that evoke a sense of primal energy and raw emotion (Pinakothek).
Twombly's approach to the Bacchus series and his work more broadly was deeply influenced by his move to Rome in 1957, where he immersed himself in the Mediterranean landscape, classical history, and art. This relocation marked a pivotal moment in his career, allowing him to develop a unique pictorial language that intertwined classical motifs with contemporary experience. His work in the Bacchus series and beyond is characterized by a fusion of word and image, where graffiti-like scribbles coalesce with references to mythology and poetry, creating a complex tapestry of historical and personal symbolism (Phillips).
Overall, the Bacchanalia series exemplifies Twombly's lifelong fascination with the ancient world, his innovative integration of textual and visual elements, and his contemplation of themes such as madness, ecstasy, and the visceral aspects of human experience.