Artwork
The March of Silenus
The March of Silenus is a print by Jonas Suyderhoef. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The print, created circa 1650 by Dutch engraver Jonas Suyderhoef, presents a festive mythological tableau centered on Silenus, the inebriated companion of Bacchus. Rendered in black-and-white on paper, the composition captures a lively procession in which the plump, garland‑crowned Silenus is assisted by two satyr figures, set against a backdrop of trees and a clouded sky.
Subject & Meaning
Silenus, traditionally portrayed as a jovial, drunken elder of the Bacchic entourage, dominates the scene as he staggers forward, supported by the half‑goat satyrs. The imagery evokes themes of excess, communal celebration, and the ancient rites associated with wine and fertility, reflecting the enduring appeal of classical mythology in 17th‑century art.
Technique & Style
Suyderhoef employs a strong chiaroscuro of deep shadows and bright highlights, achieved through meticulous line work and cross‑hatching. The engraving’s bold, expressive strokes convey movement and vigor, while the contrast between illuminated forms and dark background enhances the sense of revelry and dynamism within the composition.
History & Provenance
The image is a reproductive engraving after a composition by Peter Paul Rubens, translating the Flemish master’s painterly ideas into print form. It appears in Suyderhoef’s 1861 Leipzig catalogue under the title *Der trunkene Silen*, documenting its place within the artist’s oeuvre and the broader circulation of Rubens‑inspired motifs.
Context
Produced during the Dutch Golden Age, the print reflects the period’s fascination with classical subjects and the demand for affordable reproductions of celebrated paintings. By adapting Rubens’s baroque exuberance, Suyderhoef contributed to the diffusion of continental artistic trends across Northern Europe.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jonas Suyderhoef’s prints bring 17th-century myth to life. He carved *The March of Silenus*, a muscular, wine-soaked procession that feels like a snapshot from a Bacchic parade. The work belongs to the Dutch Golden Age,…
