Crossing the Wine Sea

Dionysos, the Greek god of wine is shown in this drawing after an episode in which he was captured by pirates, whereupon he caused grapevines to grow all over the ship and frightened his captors until they jumped overboard and were turned into dolphins. Dionysos seen here reclining in the boat on his return journey, accompanied by seven dolphins and seven bunches of grapes for good luck. Exekias showing a new awareness of the physical presence of nature. Light, floating, almost lyrical quality of the image. Also delightfully witty and clever his idea to show the god of wine, afloat in a sea of wine, in a wine cup.

Exekias. Dionysus and the pirates 530 BC.