Satyr Pressing Grapes Beside a Tiger

In this dynamic drawing, a satyr, a mythological creature with human form and goat-like features, energetically presses grapes into a vat. His muscular back is turned towards us, emphasizing the physical exertion of the task. The scene is set in a lush, wild landscape, suggested by the dense foliage and gnarled tree trunks. A tiger, surprisingly docile, reclines in the foreground, its striped body a striking contrast to the satyr's skin. The artist uses brush and brown ink with wash, heightened by touches of white gouache, to create a sense of volume and texture, particularly in the satyr's powerful form and the animal's fur. This 1774 work captures a moment of rustic revelry and untamed nature, inviting us to imagine the sounds and smells of this ancient, wine-making ritual.