Ceres Sends Hunger to Torture Erysichthon - Johann Wilhelm Baur

A detailed seventeenth-century etching by Johann Wilhelm Baur depicting the mythological punishment of Erysichthon by the goddess Ceres.

This etching by Johann Wilhelm Baur depicts a scene from Ovid's Metamorphoses, specifically the punishment of Erysichthon. According to the myth, Erysichthon incurred the wrath of Ceres by felling a sacred grove. In retaliation, the goddess commands Hunger to possess him. Baur illustrates this moment with dramatic flair, showing the personified figure of Hunger descending upon the sleeping Erysichthon. The composition is split between the architectural interior where the victim rests and the supernatural manifestation of the deity's curse.

Baur, a German artist who spent significant time in Italy, was known for his technical precision in printmaking. His work often features small, highly detailed figures set against expansive or complex backgrounds. In this piece, the swirling, cloud-like form of Hunger dominates the centre of the frame, contrasting with the rigid, linear perspective of the bedchamber on the left. The etching technique allows for fine cross-hatching, which creates a sense of volume and texture in the drapery and the rocky terrain. The artist's ability to render mythological narratives with such clarity made his illustrations popular throughout the seventeenth century.

This print is part of a larger series illustrating Ovid's tales. Baur's approach to the subject is theatrical, typical of the Baroque period, where the focus is on the emotional and physical intensity of the narrative. The contrast between the mundane setting of the bedroom and the ethereal, monstrous form of Hunger creates a sense of unease. Collectors of seventeenth-century prints will appreciate the clarity of the line work and the narrative coherence Baur achieves in this small-scale format. The print remains a fine example of how classical literature was interpreted through the lens of early modern European print culture.