Hello God!

Thank You for my glass of excellent red wine from Saint-Émilion, Bordeux region, France. Sitting at the table with wonderful French cheese Roquefort, of course, this Saturday’s night is going to be warm and happy.

This sculpture “The Vintage Vase” is situated near the museum de Young, San Francisco. But It’s original name is “Le Poème de la Vigne” in French, “The poem of vine” in English. Let’s full our glasses and I will tell you a story.

This story began a lot of yours ago.

Prosperous Bordolais, which means from Bordeaux region, was the Grand Cru wine-maker, and he decided to participated in the 1878 Paris World’s Fair for presenting his job of life – the finest Grand Cru wine. He was lucky, because one of his friend was Gustave Doré .

“Gustave, mon cher ami, my dear friend, I know you are talented artist, help me to create my symbol of Grand Cru wine, I dedicated all my life.”

“For my inspiration I need to taste your best wine”, replayed the sculptor.

“Bien sûr, of course, please try my wine”.

With the first sip the brain of Gustave exploded in harmonious accord of the divine pleasure. And Bacchanalia of inspiration, pleasure, love and joy transformed in the sculpture of the shape of a colossal wine vessel decorated with figures associated with the rites of Dionysus, known as Bacchus – the Roman god of wine.

58 Cupids, 7 Bacchantes, or maenads, female followers of Bacchus, 4 Satyrs, 1 Silenus – a companion and tutor of Bacchus, and an assortment of the vine’s enemies: including insects, rodents, and reptiles are glorifying the god Dionysus.

Covering by red velvet, weighting three tonnes sculpture was presented to the wine-maker.

“Mon cher ami, the sculpture is ready! Close your eyes and I will show the symbol of your Wine”, said Gustav.

Red velvet fallen and the Bordolais saw the vessel. “Yes, indeed, it exactly what I do for all my life. I am glorifying the god Dionysus!”, he said crying because there were no words to describe this beauty.

The vase had its own destiny. After Paris Fair, San Franciscan Michael de Young saw the vase in Chicago, fell in love with it, than purchased the vase and later donated it to the de Young Museum.

Cheers, my dear friends! Let’s celebrate this moment and our life!

Thank you for your beautiful company!