This is a drawing featuring a crowned skeleton giving a prize to a figure representing Bacchus in a setting called "The Court of Death." The crowned skeleton hands a prize to Bacchus, who is adorned with ivy leaves and holds an emblem. Shadowy figures observe the scene, with a scroll on the ground noting Bacchus as the first premium winner. The image portrays a darkly satirical take on indulgence, mortality, and possibly includes social commentary of the late 19th-century editorial illustrations.

Gallery mode Full size at the museum

Window mode follows your eyes with your camera, in this browser only: no picture or position leaves your device.

King Death's Distribution of Prizes. Bacchus Takes the First Premium.

Thomas Nast (American, born Germany, 1840 - 1902)

1870

Medium: wood engraving in black on newsprint
Classification: Print
Dimensions: sheet: 40.01 × 28.26 cm (15 3/4 × 11 1/8 in.)
Museum: National Gallery of Art, CG-W
Credit line: Donald and Nancy deLaski Fund
Rights: Public domain (NGA Open Access, CC0), as the museum states it.
Who can see it: Teens profiles and older: its subject is for older viewers (war, death, the Passion, drink or the like). How works are placed

View at the National Gallery of Art

More by Thomas Nast

See all

More like this

See all