Art Institute of Chicago

Corydon and Sylvia

Attributed to Jacob Matham (Dutch, 1571-1631)

Date

1601/11

Medium

Engraving on cream laid paper

Culture

Holland

Department

Prints and Drawings

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

Corydon is the embodiment of the pastoral shepherd, with fabled love affairs with members of both sexes to his credit, appearing in the Roman poet Virgil’s Eclogues and other works. He appears here with one of his many paramours, and his lascivious intentions are made evident by his homely face, his firm grasp of his panpipes, and the expression of his anthropomorphic dog. The shepherdess Silvia does not always return his affection; though here she seems struck with Cupid’s dart and fondles Coroydon’s knee, a print after Jacob Jordaens from later in the century shows her demurely spurning his advances.

The authoritative record is held by Art Institute of Chicago. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.