The image is an engraving depicting a rural scene from a slightly elevated point of view. The horizon line is relatively high in the composition, featuring distant figures and a settlement with a church steeple. The engraved lines provide detailed textures to elements like a thatched roof and a large tree. The color palette is monochromatic, with black ink on a light background emphasizing contrast. Closest to the viewer, figures are engaged in activities like hunting with falcons. Further back, a group of animals pulls a cart near more figures, and in the distance, people are working on and around a raised mound.
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The image is an engraving depicting a rural scene from a slightly elevated point of view. The horizon line is relatively high in the composition, featuring distant figures and a settlement with a church steeple. The engraved lines provide detailed textures to elements like a thatched roof and a large tree. The color palette is monochromatic, with black ink on a light background emphasizing contrast. Closest to the viewer, figures are engaged in activities like hunting with falcons. Further back, a group of animals pulls a cart near more figures, and in the distance, people are working on and around a raised mound.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Air

Jan van de Velde II after Willem Buytewech

Medium
etching
Classification
Print
Accession number
1943.3.8234
Credit line
Rosenwald Collection
Time span
1551 to 1600
Department
CG-E

Portfolio and series

Series
The Elements [Hollstein 22-25]

Subjects and terms

  • Dutch
  • Landscape
  • Tree
  • Building
  • Figures
  • Cloud
Provenance

(sale, C.G. Boerner, Leipzig, May 7-9, 1928, lot 1178); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], Jenkintown, PA (Lugt 1760b); gift to NGA, 1943.

NGA object ID 10730. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.