Original Subject

The painting was originally depicted as 'Saint John the Baptist' and is believed to have been created between 1510 and 1515. It is associated with Leonardo da Vinci's workshop, although the exact authorship is debated among several Lombard painters, including Francesco Melzi, Cesare da Sesto, and Cesare Bernazzano.

Alterations

In the late 17th century, between 1683 and 1693, the painting was overpainted and altered to represent Bacchus, the Roman god of wine and intoxication. The changes included converting the long-handled cross-like staff of the Baptist into a Bacchic thyrsus, adding a vine wreath, and overpainting the fur robe with leopard spots.

Model and Style

The model for the painting was Salaì, a young man known for his androgynous appearance. The painting's style, particularly the youthful and slightly androgynous figure, is characteristic of Leonardo's innovative and sometimes ambiguous depictions.

Current State and Location

The painting is now housed at the Musée du Louvre in Paris. It has been transferred from a walnut panel to canvas at some point in the 19th century. The deterioration of the painting and the lack of preliminary studies have made it challenging to definitively attribute the work to Leonardo da Vinci himself.

Attribution and Copies

While some attribute the work to Leonardo da Vinci, others suggest it might be the work of another painter from his workshop. Few copies of the original 'Saint John the Baptist' version exist, with some held in museums such as the National Gallery of Scotland and the Musée Ingres in Montauban.