Artwork
A Satyr Entertaining His Family
A Satyr Entertaining His Family is an ink drawing by the Baroque artist Domenico Piola. It dates from 1694 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:by later hand, lower left in graphite: Domenico Piola Genovese; by later hand, center verso in red chalk: [not deciphered]; in graphite: L2
About this work
Overview
A Satyr Entertaining His Family is a drawing by Domenico Piola, dated to circa 1694, executed in pen and brown ink with brown wash over traces of black chalk on laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a serene, intimate gathering in a natural setting, centered around a bearded figure (likely the satyr) surrounded by a woman, a child, and other attendants, conveying a sense of shared warmth and attention.
Technique & Style
Piola utilized a predominantly brown palette, applying detailed rendering to the figures while suggesting the background with subtle hints of foliage and depth, characteristic of nuanced Baroque drawing techniques.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1694, specific provenance details are not provided in the available information.
Context
This work can be contextualized within the broader Baroque artistic movement, known for emphasizing emotion, intimacy, and detailed naturalism.
Legacy
The drawing's legacy is not explicitly outlined in the provided sources, though it reflects Piola's contribution to Baroque drawing traditions.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Domenico Piola (1627 – 8 April 1703) was a Genoese painter of the Baroque period.
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