The image shows a group of birds, possibly kingfishers, from an elevated vantage point. The horizon seems low, with dense grasses suggesting the distance. The piece features detailed etching, capturing the birds and vegetation with fine linework. The color palette is monochrome with dark ink on paper. The artwork depicts a pair of kingfishers on the ground and three more in flight above them. Grass and reeds are visible in the distance. Clouds lightly fill the sky.
Read the visual description

The image shows a group of birds, possibly kingfishers, from an elevated vantage point. The horizon seems low, with dense grasses suggesting the distance. The piece features detailed etching, capturing the birds and vegetation with fine linework. The color palette is monochrome with dark ink on paper. The artwork depicts a pair of kingfishers on the ground and three more in flight above them. Grass and reeds are visible in the distance. Clouds lightly fill the sky.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Alcedo, The Kingfisher

Albert Flamen

Medium
etching on laid paper
Classification
Print
Accession number
1948.11.113
Credit line
Rosenwald Collection
Time span
1601 to 1650
Department
CG-E

Portfolio and series

Series
A Book of Birds (Livre d'oiseaux)

Subjects and terms

  • Landscape
  • plant
  • bird
  • animal
  • Flemish
  • inscription
  • calligraphic
  • Grass

NGA object ID 34757. 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.