Artwork
Peasant with a Cup
Peasant with a Cup is an ink print by the Baroque artist Edouard Eckman. It dates from 1621 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Peasant with a Cup is a 1621 woodcut on laid paper by Edouard Eckman, depicting two men standing side by side, facing away from the viewer.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows two similarly attired peasants, each with a wide-brimmed hat, striped shirt, and loose pants. One holds a walking stick in his right hand and a cup in his left, with the other figure mirroring this pose, suggesting symmetry or companionship.
Technique & Style
The woodcut features clean yet rough lines, evoking an informal sketch. The technique involves carving a design into wood, then inking and pressing it onto paper, a prevalent method for mass reproduction before the advent of photography.
History & Provenance
Created in 1621 by Edouard Eckman, the work's provenance is not detailed here, but its creation date situates it within the early 17th-century European printmaking tradition.
Context
Produced in an era preceding photographic technology, this woodcut exemplifies a common method of artistic reproduction and dissemination during the 17th century.
Artist & collection
