Who painted Camma and Sinorix?

Camma and Sinorix was painted by Pietro Testa in 1640.

Where can I see Camma and Sinorix?

Camma and Sinorix is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Camma and Sinorix?

Camma and Sinorix is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Camma and Sinorix

Pietro Testa , 1640

Camma and Sinorix is an ink print by the Baroque artist Pietro Testa. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1640, *Camma and Sinorix* is an etching on laid paper by the Roman artist Pietro Testa. The work belongs to the High Baroque period and is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a bustling scene of figures ascending a stairway amid horses, columns, and a building framed by trees. The crowd is varied—some appear tense, others carry objects or animals—conveying a sense of movement and dramatic tension within a classical architectural setting.

Technique & Style

Testa employed fine, precise lines to model clothing, architecture, and texture, exploiting the etching process in which ink is held in incised lines on a metal plate. The delicate hatching creates depth and a lively surface quality characteristic of 17th‑century Italian printmaking.

History & Provenance

Although Testa’s paintings achieved modest public acclaim, his reputation as a printmaker and draftsman grew during his lifetime. *Camma and Sinorix* reflects his involvement with the scholarly circle around Cassiano dal Pozzo, which emphasized classical ideals. The work eventually entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings.

Context

Operating in Rome’s artistic milieu, Testa was part of a network of artists and intellectuals devoted to antiquarian study and the revival of classical themes. This environment informed the composition’s architectural elements and the disciplined, academic rendering of the figures.