Silvio and the Wounded Dorinda
18th century National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
About this artwork
This oil painting depicts a scene from the play 'Il Pastor Fido' by Giovanni Battista Guarini, showing the shepherd Silvio tending to the huntress Dorinda. The work demonstrates typical Baroque dramatic lighting and emotional intensity.
Did you know?
The scene is drawn from the popular 16th-century pastoral tragicomedy 'Il Pastor Fido' (The Faithful Shepherd), which was a major inspiration for many European artists during the Baroque period. Dorinda, a nymph, accidentally wounded herself while attempting to win the affections of the misogynistic hunter Silvio. This specific moment captures the shift in the narrative as the hardened Silvio finally feels pity and love upon discovering her injury.
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Silvio and the Wounded Dorinda
Louis Vallee, 18th century
