Artwork
The Drunken Silenus
The Drunken Silenus is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jusepe de Ribera. It dates from 1628 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Drunken Silenus is a 1628 etching and engraving on laid paper by Jusepe de Ribera, a prominent Spanish Baroque artist based in Naples.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a chaotic scene of intoxication featuring Silenus, a mythological companion of Bacchus, alongside other figures in various states of inebriation, including a child amidst the disorder.
Technique & Style
Ribera employed sharp lines and heavy shading to achieve a dramatic, realistic effect, emphasizing the roughness of the figures and the chaotic environment through meticulous details.
History & Provenance
Created in 1628 by Ribera, a key figure among Spanish Baroque artists like Velázquez and Murillo, the work reflects his influence on Neapolitan art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jusepe de Ribera (Valencian: ; baptised 17 February 1591 – 3 November 1652) was a Spanish painter and printmaker.
