Artwork
Silvio
Silvio 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.
About this work
Overview
Silvio is a 1640 drawing by Johann Wilhelm Baur, executed in pen and brown ink with brown wash on laid paper. The work is a representation of a scene from Giovanni Battista Guarini's *Il pastor fido*, a pastoral tragicomedy.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a weary, yet serene, figure dressed in traditional shepherd's attire, holding a staff and a book. This subject reflects Baur's exploration of contemporary literary themes beyond his more commonly associated illustrations of classical texts like Ovid's *Metamorphoses*.
Technique & Style
Characterized by precise, detailed linework, the drawing utilizes cross-hatching—a technique of layered, intersecting lines—to achieve nuanced shadows and fabric folds, all rendered in varying shades of brown ink.
History & Provenance
Created in 1640, *Silvio* falls within the Baroque period. While specific ownership history is not provided, the piece is attributed to Baur, known for his work in engraving, etching, and miniature painting.
Context
*Silvio* situates Baur within the broader Baroque artistic movement, marked by expressive and detailed figuration. The choice of subject from *Il pastor fido* indicates an engagement with popular literary works of the time.
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.
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