Artwork
Drunken Silenus
Drunken Silenus is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Schelte Adams Bolswert. It dates from 1622 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1622, *Drunken Silenus* is an engraving by Schelte Adamsz. Bolswert, a Frisian printmaker who worked in Antwerp. The image translates a mythological scene into a reproducible format, allowing the composition to reach audiences beyond the original painted version.
Subject & Meaning
The print portrays Silenus, the wine‑loving companion of Dionysus, in a state of inebriation. He is supported by two attendants as he stumbles amid a wooded setting, emphasizing the figure’s vulnerability and the indulgent aspects of the myth.
Technique & Style
Executed with fine lines characteristic of early 17th‑century engraving, Bolswert renders intricate details in foliage, drapery, and the figures’ expressions. The work demonstrates the printmaker’s skill in converting a painted composition into a monochrome image while preserving depth and texture.
History & Provenance
Bolswert was closely associated with Peter Paul Rubens’ workshop, often producing reproductive prints after Rubens and contemporaries such as Anthony van Dyck. *Drunken Silenus* reflects this collaborative practice, serving as a printed counterpart to a painted design circulated among collectors.
Context
During the Baroque period, mythological subjects like Silenus were popular among Flemish artists, who used them to explore themes of excess and humanity. Engravings such as this one played a key role in disseminating the visual language of Rubens’ circle across Europe.
Artist & collection
Artist
Schelte a Bolswert or Schelte Adamsz. Bolswert (c. 1586 – 1659) was a Frisian engraver who worked most of his career in Antwerp where he was one of the lead engravers in Rubens' workshop. He is known for his…
