Oil Painted Copy

by Gerald King

Dorinda was infatuated with the young Silvio. But he was a hunter who spent most of his time in the woods. One day Dorinda covered herself with a bearskin and followed Silvio into the woods. As might be expected, the hunter mistook her for a bear and shot an arrow into her breast. In the scene, the Dutch artist Louis Vallee, shows Silvio leaning over the wounded Dorinda lamenting his mistake. While reclining against her old servant Linco, Dorinda attempts to sooth Silvio's  guilt with a gallant gesture. Secretly she is enjoying the success of her plot to get the young man's attention and sympathy.
The story comes form a pastoral poem by Giovanni Battista Guarin. It's title is " II Pastor Fido" (The Faithful Shepherd 1582.

This work was copied from direct observation of the original. 

Your Comments are appreciated

click here and send message