Artwork
The Large Rustic Wedding Feast
The Large Rustic Wedding Feast is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Peter van der Borcht. It dates from 1560 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Peter van der Borcht’s print, titled The Large Rustic Wedding Feast, dates to 1560. Executed as an engraving, the work presents a bustling banquet set in a countryside environment, populated by numerous figures engaged in eating, drinking and music-making.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a communal wedding celebration, emphasizing the convivial atmosphere of rural festivity. The presence of a large tree and a modest house in the background reinforces the setting’s agrarian character, suggesting a link between communal rites and the natural landscape.
Technique & Style
Van der Borcht employs fine, intersecting lines and cross‑hatching to render texture and depth, achieving a realistic portrayal of figures, food, and furnishings. The tonal range, achieved through careful shading, produces warm hues of brown and beige that enhance the intimate, homely feel of the scene.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑sixteenth century, the engraving reflects the Northern Renaissance interest in detailed genre scenes. While specific ownership records are scarce, the print has been catalogued among van der Borcht’s known works and is cited in scholarly surveys of Renaissance printmaking.
Artist & collection
