Artwork
Boat at a River Bank with Three Goats
Boat at a River Bank with Three Goats is an ink print by the Baroque artist Allart van Everdingen. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created around 1650, this print by the Dutch artist Everdingen portrays a tranquil riverside tableau.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1650, this print by the Dutch artist Everdingen portrays a tranquil riverside tableau. A modest wooden structure on stilts stands beside a gently flowing waterway, where a small boat is moored. Near the bank three goats are positioned, while scattered trees and rocky outcrops frame the scene under a light sky dotted with wispy clouds.
Subject & Meaning
The composition juxtaposes human habitation, represented by the boat and stilted building, with pastoral elements embodied by the goats. This contrast highlights the coexistence of everyday labor and rural life along Dutch waterways, a common theme in 17th‑century visual culture that underscores the integration of nature and commerce.
Technique & Style
Everdingen employed a combination of etching and engraving on a metal plate, allowing him to render delicate line work that defines water ripples, rock textures, and the fur of the goats. The fine, precise incisions produce a clear, almost documentary quality, characteristic of Dutch printmaking during the Golden Age.
History & Provenance
The print originates from Everdingen’s productive period as a printmaker, when he produced numerous etchings and mezzotints. Although specific ownership records are scarce, the work has been catalogued among his mid‑century prints and appears in several museum collections specializing in Dutch graphic art.
Context
During the mid‑17th century, Dutch artists frequently depicted riverine scenes that reflected the nation’s extensive canal networks and maritime commerce. Everdingen’s choice of a modest, everyday setting aligns with contemporary interests in genre subjects that document daily life along the waterways.
Legacy
While not as widely reproduced as his paintings, this print contributes to the broader understanding of Dutch Golden Age printmaking techniques and thematic concerns. It demonstrates Everdingen’s skill in integrating precise line work with narrative content, influencing later graphic artists who sought similar realism in their depictions of rural environments.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Allaert van Everdingen (Dutch pronunciation: ; bapt. 18 June 1621 – 8 November 1675 (buried)), was a Dutch Golden Age painter and printmaker in etching and mezzotint.
