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, *Capricci di varie battaglie* is an etching on laid paper by the German artist Johann Wilhelm Baur. The print gathers several combat scenes into a single, densely populated composition, showcasing the artist’s facility with the medium and his interest in narrative depictions of warfare.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a tumultuous battlefield where armored combatants clash amid smoke and flames. A centrally placed swordsman in full armor draws the eye, while horsemen and foot soldiers populate the surrounding space, suggesting a chaotic, perhaps mythic, confrontation rather than a specific historical event.
Technique & Style
Baur employs fine, intersecting lines to render intricate textures of armor, flesh, and terrain. Varying degrees of hatching create strong contrasts of light and shadow, giving the scene a palpable sense of depth and motion. The use of laid paper adds a subtle grain that enhances the overall atmospheric quality.
History & Provenance
Johann Wilhelm Baur (1607–1640) was active in the early seventeenth century, known for both miniature painting and printmaking. *Capricci di varie battaglie* belongs to a period when he produced series of prints illustrating classical and historical subjects, including a notable set based on Ovid’s *Metamorphoses*.
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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.
