Guercino here depicts an episode from Giovanni Battista Guarini's Il Pastor Fido. The nymph Dorinda was in love with Silvio, who cared only for hunting. She disguised herself as a wolf in order to watch him. Silvio, however, mistook Dorinda for his prey and shot her. The shepherd Linco came to her aid, and Silvio, having fallen in love with Dorinda, offered her the bow so that she could take revenge on him. Only slightly wounded, Dorinda refused, and, with their love now realized, the couple married.
Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, called Il Guercino (1591–1666), Silvio Discovering the Wounded Dorinda, Supported by Linco, ca. 1646–47. Pen and brown ink and wash. Purchased by Pierpont Morgan in 1909, inv. I, 101g.