1635
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Capricci di varie battaglie is a 1635 ink by Johann Wilhelm Baur, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This chaotic scene shows a tangled mess of figures in mid-fight. Some wield swords, others bows, while a few seem to be falling or wrestling. The background looks stormy, with rough waves and swirling lines. Everyone is dressed in old-fashioned armor or loose robes, and the whole image feels crowded and dramatic. The artist used a scratchy, layered style that makes the lines look uneven and urgent. This isn’t a real battle—it’s more like a wild, symbolic clash of forces. The title even hints at "whimsical battles," so it’s probably less about history and more about mood. Next, check out the technique: etching to see how artists like this made their marks.
Johann Wilhelm Baur, Joan Guiliam Bouwer, or Bauer (Strasbourg, 31 May 1607 - Vienna, 1 January 1640) was a German engraver, etcher and miniature painter. He is famous for a series of illustrations of Ovid's Metamorphoses.
See the richer artist pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
