Corydon and Sylvia

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

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.

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