The image shows a dynamic scene with figures and horses from a straight-on perspective. The horizon line is in the middle of the composition, providing depth between the individuals and horses in the foreground and the figures in the background. The artwork is a detailed etching with fine lines defining forms and textures like the horses and clothing. It is in a monochromatic palette of black and white, using contrasts and shadows for vividness and depth. In the foreground, a man is tugging a horse's bridle while another man on horseback raises a whip. More figures on horseback can be seen in the distance against a cloudy sky.
Read the visual description

The image shows a dynamic scene with figures and horses from a straight-on perspective. The horizon line is in the middle of the composition, providing depth between the individuals and horses in the foreground and the figures in the background. The artwork is a detailed etching with fine lines defining forms and textures like the horses and clothing. It is in a monochromatic palette of black and white, using contrasts and shadows for vividness and depth. In the foreground, a man is tugging a horse's bridle while another man on horseback raises a whip. More figures on horseback can be seen in the distance against a cloudy sky.

National Gallery of Art · Print

A Boy Taking a Horse to Drink

Dirck Stoop

Date
1651
Medium
etching on laid paper
Dimensions
plate: 15 × 19.4 cm (5 7/8 × 7 5/8 in.) sheet: 15.2 × 20.1 cm (6 × 7 15/16 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
2014.56.2
Credit line
Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
Time span
1651 to 1700
Department
CG-E

Portfolio and series

Series
The Set of Horses

Subjects and terms

  • etching
  • animal
Provenance

(James A. Bergquist, Newton, MA); purchased 2014 by NGA.

Inscription

lower left in plate: D Stoop; by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: 2 II (of 3)

NGA object ID 164718. 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.