Bacchus

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Michelangelo's Early Ambition: A Bacchus Born from Ancient Inspiration Michelangelo, driven by his passion for ancient statuary, took on a daunting challenge as he crafted the enigmatic Bacchus with its precarious balance and inebriated stare. However, this masterpiece failed to impress Cardinal Raffaele Riario, its patron, who had envisioned something more refined. In 1501, the Bacchus was relocated from Riario's residence to the garden of banker Jacopo Galli's Roman estate, where it remained for many years. Eventually, the Medici family acquired this captivating sculpture in 1572 for a substantial sum of 240 ducats. According to historical records, the Bacchus continued to be displayed at the Uffizi until at least 1591.