Artwork
Corisca and Linco
Corisca and Linco is an ink drawing by the Baroque artist Johann Wilhelm Baur. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1640, *Corisca and Linc* is a pen‑and‑ink drawing on laid paper, executed in brown ink with a subtle brown wash.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1640, *Corisca and Linc* is a pen‑and‑ink drawing on laid paper, executed in brown ink with a subtle brown wash. The German artist Johann Wilhelm Baur, active in the early seventeenth century, rendered the two figures with a restrained palette, emphasizing line and tone over colour.
Subject & Meaning
The composition portrays Corisca and Linco, protagonists from Giovanni Battista Guarini’s pastoral tragicomedy *Il pastor fido*. Their poses and attire suggest a narrative moment that hints at their social rank and the dynamics of their relationship within the play’s courtly setting.
Technique & Style
Baur employed fine cross‑hatching and delicate washes to model forms, a method typical of his illustrative work. The use of brown ink on laid paper creates a uniform tonal field, while the linear treatment highlights the texture of clothing and the gestures of the figures.
History & Provenance
Johann Wilhelm Baur (1607–1640), born in Strasbourg, was known for his engravings, etchings, and miniature paintings, especially illustrations for Ovid’s *Metamorphoses*. This drawing demonstrates his broader engagement with contemporary literary subjects beyond classical mythology.
Context
The work reflects the early Baroque interest in literary illustration, where artists frequently visualized scenes from popular dramas. By choosing a scene from *Il pastor fido*, Baur aligned himself with the taste for pastoral narratives that circulated in German and Italian courts during the 1630s and 1640s.
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.
