Menu
FREE ART CONSULTATION
PreviewPreview AR previewAR preview Buy Print Buy PrintBuy Image Buy Image SendSend
DetailsDetails Add to favorites Add to favorites DownloadDownload SimilarsSimilars X-RayX-Ray DiaporamaDiaporama

Atalanta and Hippomenes

Johann Wilhelm Baur (1607-1642): German Baroque painter of detailed vedute, miniatures & mythological scenes inspired by Ovid. Explore his art & legacy!

Hand Made Oil Reproduction

Hand-painted oil on canvas in your size and frame, made to order by our artists. (Buy Print Buy PrintBuy Image Buy Image)

Standard
custom
CM
INCH

Pick from our preset sizes that match the artwork's original proportions.

width
height

You may enter your own dimensions to fit a specific frame or space. If your selected size does not match the original image's proportions, we will either crop the artwork or extend the painting with additional hand-painted elements. A digital mockup will be sent for your approval before production begins.
Please note that the on-screen preview does not reflect the actual cropping or extension. Only the mockup will accurately show the final composition.
While custom sizes are available, we recommend selecting a dimension from the predefined list to preserve the original proportions.

Examples of what can be changed: Replace face with customer photo; Add pet (e.g., replace cat with dog); Include hidden message in background; Change background landscape or elements.
After order, ArtsDot.com team will email client for instructions and provide a mockup preview

Worldwide Delivery () in 3/4 weeks instead of standard 5 weeks. (30 August). No compromise on quality.

why_choose_icon
Free Worldwide Express Shipping
why_choose_icon
High-Quality Linen Canvas
why_choose_icon
Full Shipping Insurance
why_choose_icon
Customs Tax Refund Guarantee
why_choose_icon
True Color Matching Guarantee
why_choose_icon
60-Day Return Policy (Defects Only)
why_choose_icon
100% Money-Back Guarantee
why_choose_icon
Bulk Discount Offer

Total Price

$ 263

reproduction

Atalanta and Hippomenes

Reproduction Medium

Reproduction Size

-

Total Price

$ 263

The eight coppers in the collection are part of a wider set. In fact, they closely depict eight of the 150 engravings that Johann Wilhelm Baur (Strasbourg, 1607 – Vienna, 1642) made on several episodes of the Metamorphoses, between 1639 and 1641 in Vienna. As far as we know, they were for the first time printed in 1641, being part of an edition that accompanied the illustrations of the summaries of the pictorially treated myths, a volume dedicated to Jonas von Heysperg, counsellor of king Ferdinand III (apud R. Rapetti et alii 1998: 170). The engravings, nowadays conserved at the Sammlungen des regierenden Fürsten in Liechtenstein, have known several reprints, one of them in 1703 (OvidiiMetamorphosis, oder Verwandelungs Bucher. Nuremberg). They collected inspirationfrom the similar and equally numbered engravings of the Italian Antonio Tempesta(1555-1630), which were published in Antwerp, in 1606 (Metamorphoseon siveTransformationum Ovidianarum), although they might have been available yearsbefore, at least since 1595. Baur’s engravings, through which he became known, arecharacterized by the conciliation of both the mannerist and baroque styles, thusrevealing a strong dramaticism, as they included mythical figures in Italiancontemporaneous sceneries, both natural and urban ones. In this case, Atalanta was a young woman who was told by an oracle that she would become an animal if ever got married. Therefore, she dedicates her life to the priesthood of the goddess Diana, guardian of virginity, and sets her life in the woods. In order to avoid suitors, as she was extremely beautiful, she announced that she would only marry the man who could outrun her in a footrace, which was actually impossible. Hippomenes, fascinated by the girl’s beauty, after seeing a race that she won indisputably, decides to try his luck and asks for the favour of the goddess Venus. She then gives him three golden apples, which he throws to the floor during the competition, thus distracting the maiden and consequently making her lose the race. The painting depicts this moment, when Hippomenes throws the last apple and, by doing so, becomes the winner, as it is described (in direct speech, by the goddess Venus herself) in Ovid’s Metamorphoses (10.674-680).

Artist Biography

Johann Wilhelm Baur: Life and Legacy

Early Life and Training

Johann Wilhelm Baur, a renowned German painter and engraver, was born on May 31, 1607, in Strasbourg, France. His artistic journey began under the tutelage of Friedrich Brentel, a prominent artist of the time. This foundational training provided Baur with a solid grounding in drawing, composition, and technique.

Italian Sojourn and Artistic Development

Following his initial education, Baur embarked on an extended tour of Italy – a crucial period for his artistic development. He had the distinct privilege of working for esteemed families such as the Farnese, Colonna, and Borghese. This exposure to Italian art and patronage significantly shaped his style and subject matter. During this time, he honed his skills in both painting and etching.

Artistic Contributions and Innovations

Baur is celebrated for his innovative vedute – highly detailed topographical views of cities and landscapes. These works had a lasting impact on German and European art, influencing subsequent generations of artists. He also excelled in miniatures and etchings, demonstrating a remarkable mastery of technique and an exceptional eye for detail. His peers affectionately nicknamed him “Reiger” (heron) likely referencing his meticulous attention to detail.

Key Themes and Notable Works

Baur’s artistic focus centered heavily on mythological scenes, particularly those drawn from Ovid's Metamorphoses. His paintings often depict dramatic moments of transformation and emotional intensity. Some of his most notable works include:

  • Atalanta and Hippomenes
  • Venus transforms Adonis’ corpse into a flower
  • Mercury descends from the heavens for the love of Herse
  • Erichthonius’ release
  • Europa’s abduction by Jupiter
  • Deianeira’s abduction by the centaur Nessos
  • Latona and the Lycians
  • Vertumnus seduces Pomona

Influences and Legacy

While Friedrich Brentel was his primary early influence, Baur’s time in Italy exposed him to a wider range of artistic styles and masters. The Baroque aesthetic prevalent in Rome and other Italian cities profoundly impacted his work. His innovative vedute paved the way for later topographical painters, and his detailed miniatures influenced portraiture.

Historical Significance and Passing

Johann Wilhelm Baur passed away in Vienna on January 1, 1642. Despite a relatively short life, he left behind a significant body of work that continues to be admired for its technical skill, dramatic composition, and mythological themes. His contributions remain a cherished part of the region's cultural heritage, particularly within the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Strasbourg (France), which houses an impressive collection of his art.

Johann Wilhelm Baur

Johann Wilhelm Baur

1607 - 1642 , France

Quick Facts

  • Birth Date: May 31, 1607
  • Birth Place: Strasbourg, France
  • Death Date: January 1, 1642
  • Influenced: None, 'influenced by': 'Friedrich Brentel', 'movement': 'Baroque', 'name': 'Johann Wilhelm Baur', 'nationality': 'German', 'notable works': ['Atalanta and Hippomenes',
Explore artworks organized by themes, styles, and characteristics.