The Contest between Apollo and Pan before King Midas

Johann Spillenberger

1670

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque Mythology

About this work

This sketch shows a busy scene with many figures in a wooded area. A woman plays a violin while others dance or watch. Some children sit on the ground, and a man with a beard stands apart, holding a staff. The trees and bushes are drawn quickly, with lots of shading to show depth. The artist used gray ink and white paint to add highlights, giving the scene a soft, sketchy look. This style was common in the 1600s for quick studies or designs. Look up Baroque to see more art from this dramatic, lively period.