Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, O.M., R.A. 1836-1912

The present picture is a watercolour replica of a lost composition Greek Wine of 1872, which has also become known under the various titles, The Grecian Wine, The Carouse and Wine Drinkers. The oil on panel was of the same dimensions and although small was regarded as a significant work by the artist, exhibited at the Royal Academy summer exhibition in 1873, at the Paris Salon later that year and again at the Grosvenor Gallery in 1882. This picture was intended to be hung as the centre-piece with The Dinner (William Morris Gallery, Walthamstow) and The Siesta (present whereabouts unknown, formerly in the collection of Lord Leverhulme). It was the first picture to bear an Opus number on the surface of the painting, rather than recorded in Tadema's ledger of works.

The painting depicts a symposium scene of two Greek patricians, reclining in an interior, one of whom is being served the eponymous wine by a serving-boy whose garland of vine leaves suggests that the drinking of the wine is part of a Bacchic celebration. The silver statuette on the table beside the large block of parmesan, depicts an inebriated Silenus one of Bacchus' devoted followers, further emphasising the significance of the God of Wine as does the silver kylix drinking vessel held by the older man. The wall behind the figures bears a painted scene depicting satyrs cowering before Dionysus (Bacchus) robed in white and wearing a pard-skin. Tadema had been fascinated by the rituals associated with Dionysus and painted several important works depicting the pagan maenads and priests, the most important being The Vintage Festival of 1870 and A Dedication to Bacchus of 1889 (both Hamburger Kunsthalle, Hamburg).

'Mix when thou doest fill the goblet,
with Heliodora's name the draught,
and on my brow the chaplet set,
she gave me as the wine I quaffed!
With tears its roses seen dedeviled,
as though the garland fair doth weep,
because within, mine arms I could
not Heliodora's fair form keep.'
(song of Meleagros)