Artwork
Peacock and Stork
Peacock and Stork is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Adriaen Collaert. It dates from 1600 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Peacock and Stork is a c. 1600 engraving on laid paper by Adriaen Collaert, depicting two birds in a meticulously rendered landscape.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving pairs a peacock, perched with feathers outstretched on a rock, alongside a tall stork with open beak, set against a backdrop of a small, idyllic town with a river. The combination of real subjects within a somewhat fantastical, detailed environment suggests a blend of realism and imaginative composition.
Technique & Style
Collaert employed intricate cross-hatching to achieve deep shading and textured effects, lending a near three-dimensional quality to the birds' plumage and the landscape's elements.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1600, specific provenance details are not provided in the available information.
Context
This work reflects the Flemish engraving tradition of the late 16th to early 17th centuries, characterized by meticulous detail and the blending of natural and somewhat idealized settings.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of 'Peacock and Stork' are not provided, it contributes to the broader appreciation of Adriaen Collaert's contributions to Flemish printmaking of his era.
Artist & collection
