Silvio and Linco with the Wounded Dorinda
Artist: Pieter van Lint (Flemish, 1609-1690)
Date: ca. 1640–1645
Medium: Oil on canvas
Collection: Museum of Fine Arts, Budapest, Hungary
Description
The dramatic scene depicts a pivotal, tragicomedy moment from the late-16th-century Italian pastoral play Il Pastor Fido (The Faithful Shepherd) by Giovanni Battista Guarini.
In the play, the nymph Dorinda falls deeply in love with Silvio, an indifferent huntsman. Desperate for his attention, Dorinda disguises herself in wolf skins to secretly watch him hunt. Tragically, Silvio mistakes her for an actual wolf and shoots her with an arrow.
Overcome with sudden grief and pity - which finally blossoms into love - the devastated huntsman rushes to her. The painting captures this climax: Dorinda lies wounded, cradled by the old servant Linco. Silvio kneels before her, baring his chest and offering his bow so she can take revenge on him. Fortunately, her wound is superficial, and the story ends happily with the couple marrying.
