Artwork
Capricci di varie battaglie
Capricci di varie battaglie is an ink print by the Baroque artist Johann Wilhelm Baur. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1635 by the German artist Johann Wilhelm Baur, *Capricci di varie battaglie* is an etching executed on laid paper. The print presents a densely populated combat tableau, where soldiers, mounted riders, and swirling clouds interlace in a turbulent composition. Its monochrome palette and intricate line work convey the disorder and intensity of the depicted clashes.
Subject & Meaning
The image gathers a variety of battle motifs, suggesting both historical confrontations and mythic struggles. By juxtaposing multiple combat episodes within a single frame, Baur invites viewers to contemplate the universal nature of conflict, emphasizing the chaos and human drama inherent in warfare.
Technique & Style
Baur employed the etching process, drawing his design onto a copper plate before immersing it in acid, which incised the lines. The resulting marks are vigorous and densely layered, characteristic of early‑17th‑century printmaking that prized expressive detail. The use of laid paper adds a subtle texture that enhances the work’s tonal depth.
History & Provenance
Johann Wilhelm Baur was active as an engraver, etcher, and miniature painter, gaining particular acclaim for his series of illustrations to Ovid’s *Metamorphoses*. *Capricci di varie battaglie* reflects the same meticulous approach that secured his reputation across Europe. The print remains a documented example of his printmaking output from the mid‑1630s.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Johann Wilhelm Baur, Joan Guiliam Bouwer, or Bauer (Strasbourg, 31 May 1607 - Vienna, 1 January 1640) was a German engraver, etcher and miniature painter. He is famous for a series of illustrations of Ovid's Metamorphoses.
