I really dig this painting. First because of the flabby and paunchy Bacchus - it's a tribute to Caravaggio's bit of pubescent fluff - only roughed up by Vs macho realism. Second because of the smiley drunk guy that looks out - right in your eyes - implicating us, the viewers, in this unwashed bunch. And third because of the wierd way V has painted the wine jugs on the ground. It's like they were pasted in from another painting with that wierd lighting and deep shadowing (from nowhere!) that flattens them against the scene. Talk about a cut and paste job...17th Century photoshop. The other distrubing thing in this painting is the fact that the drunkards are middle aged or older(or they look that way) and yet the winner of the party god's laurel is a young bravo - dagger tucked away ready for trouble - what exactly is V saying? That this dude is now part of the pantheon of slovenly gods laughing and smiling around him - that he too will soon be old, messed up and begging for a drink? Maybe that dagger will become more dangerous as the wine flows - maybe they're sizing him up - because cleary he's got some cash and the others don't. Behind the god is a bit of long-time rough trade undressed and looking for some fun - hoisting a lazy toast to a long and hazy evening. What exactly has been won here? and I keep coming back to - Why the very false looking containers in an otherwise picture perfect lens painting? What a great thing to have to puzzle over!