In this quiet and intimate mythological painting, Potter depicts the first encounter of Bacchus (Dionysus) and Ariadne. After ignoring her father’s wishes and helping Theseus defeat the Minotaur in the labyrinth at Knossos, the Cretan princess was abandoned by Theseus on the island of Naxos. Bacchus, the god of wine and fertility, finds her brokenhearted by Theseus’ betrayal and decides to console her. This will lead to their eventual romance and marriage. The crown behind Ariadne is one of the main attributes that help identify this scene.

Former attribution Moyses van Uyttenbroek