Who painted The Four-Wheeled Cart?

The Four-Wheeled Cart was painted by Gerrit Claesz Bleker in 1643.

Where can I see The Four-Wheeled Cart?

The Four-Wheeled Cart is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Four-Wheeled Cart?

The Four-Wheeled Cart is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of The Four-Wheeled Cart?

Museum-quality prints of The Four-Wheeled Cart are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

The Four-Wheeled Cart

Gerrit Claesz Bleker , 1643

The Four-Wheeled Cart is an ink print by the Baroque artist Gerrit Claesz Bleker. It dates from 1643 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Gerrit Claesz Bleker’s 1643 etching, titled The Four-Wheeled Cart, depicts a bustling rural scene rendered on laid paper. A horse draws a heavily laden wooden cart, while a man in a hat holds the reins and another figure leans against the vehicle. A duck waddles near the wheels and a dog rests at the horse’s feet, adding everyday detail to the composition.

Subject & Meaning

The print presents a moment of ordinary labor, emphasizing the interdependence of humans, animals, and tools in 17th‑century agrarian life. The presence of the duck and dog introduces a touch of domestic tranquility, while the loaded barrels suggest commerce or storage, hinting at the economic activities that sustained the community.

Technique & Style

Bleker achieved the intricate surface through fine, closely spaced lines typical of 1600s etching. The artist rendered wood grain, cloth folds, and animal fur with meticulous cross‑hatching, creating texture and depth. The use of laid paper, with its faint ribbed pattern, contributes a subtle tonal quality that enhances the overall realism of the scene.

History & Provenance

Created in 1643, The Four-Wheeled Cart belongs to a period when Dutch printmakers frequently documented everyday life. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work has been catalogued among Bleker’s surviving prints and appears in several collections of Dutch Baroque graphic art, illustrating the artist’s engagement with genre subjects.