The Drunken Silenus

1628, printed c. 1933-1934

Jusepe de Ribera

Associated Names
Jusepe de Ribera

Artist, Spanish, 1591 - 1652

Calcografia di Roma

Printer

This is a drawing of mythical creatures surrounding a wine barrel. The etching shows satyrs and a bacchante near a large wooden vat of wine. One satyr looks mischievous, while another man reclines with a cup and grape leaf crown. The scene exudes indulgence and merriment typical of Bacchic celebrations. The background features a rustic atmosphere, with a curious donkey and another wine container. Shadow and texture are used skillfully to depict the energetic yet relaxed scene.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and engraving printed in brown on heavy wove paper [restrike printed by the Regia Calcografia, Rome]

  • Credit Line

    Transferred from The Library of Congress

  • Dimensions

    plate: 27.6 x 35.6 cm (10 7/8 x 14 in.)
    sheet: 46.2 x 62.1 cm (18 3/16 x 24 7/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1986.50.7

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Brown 1973, no. 14, State (restrike)

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Calcografia di Roma; Library of Congress, Washington DC; transferred to National Gallery of Art in 1986

Associated Names

Bibliography

1934

  • Regia Calcografia 1934, 741.

1973

  • Brown, Jonathan. Jusepe de Ribera: Prints and Drawings. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1973.

Inscriptions

recto: in plate, at lower left: alla Pace Gio.IacomoRossi formis Roma / 1649; in plate, at lower center: Al Molto Illre. Sr.Don Gioseppe Balsamo Barone di Cattasi Giorato dell Illmo. / Senata de lla nobile Citta di Messina / Giovanni Orlandi Romano. D.D.; in plate, at lower right: Joseph a Ribera Hisp. Valenti / Setaben f. Partenope / 1628

Markings

recto: at lower right, blindstamp of Calcografia di Roma (Lugt 2144); verso: stamped in purple Division of Prints, Library of Congress [44118 stamped in blue in rectangle] (Lugt 1680)

Wikidata ID

Q74073900

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