Hylas and the Water Nymphs 1630 - 1710

Pietro Santi Bartoli created this print titled "Hylas and the Water Nymphs," during the seventeenth century. It depicts a scene from classical mythology—the abduction of Hylas by water nymphs—but it also reflects the social and artistic concerns of Bartoli’s Italy. As a printmaker in Rome, Bartoli made his living reproducing antique artworks, and his style is rooted in the classical tradition. The nude figures, the idealized landscape, and the dramatic narrative all evoke the art of ancient Greece and Rome. Yet, this image also speaks to the seventeenth-century fascination with mythology and the decorative arts. We can interpret Bartoli’s engraving by studying the conventions of classical art, as well as the social functions of printmaking in his time. Art historians look at period documents, like letters, inventories, and workshop records, to better understand the cultural context that produced artworks like this. Understanding the conditions that create art also enhances our appreciation of it.