Friday, 9 October 2026

Wine offered by a god, lavish detail and Horace's call to a modest life

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A youth in a wreath of vine leaves and a white robe holds a glass of red wine, with a bowl of fruit before him.

Everything in this early Caravaggio is exquisite, but just look at the glass!

This is exactly how wine offered by God ought to be served. And the longer one gazes at the refined luxury of the details, the less one believes Horace's invitation to a modest life, half merriment and half friendship.

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