Reynolds comments on Bacchus and Ariadne in Discourse Eight stress different aspects of painting from those picked out by Ruskin:
To Ariadne is given (say the critics) a red scarf to relieve the figure from the sea which is behind her. It is not for that reason alone, but for another much greater consequence; for the sake of the general harmony and effect of the picture. The figure of Ariadne is separated from the great group, and is dressed in blue, which, added to the colour of the sea, makes that quantity of cold colour which Titian thought necessary for the support and brilliancy of the great group; which group is composed with very little exception entirely of mellow colours. But as the picture in this case would be divided into two distinct parts, one half cold and the other warm; it was necessary to carry some of the mellow colours of the great group into the cold part of the picture, and a part of the cold into the great group; accordingly, Titian gave Ariadne a red scarf, and to one of the Bacchante a little blue drapery. ( Reynolds, Discourses, p. 159)