Who painted Four Figures under a Tree?

Four Figures under a Tree was painted by Allart van Everdingen in 1650.

Where can I see Four Figures under a Tree?

Four Figures under a Tree is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Four Figures under a Tree?

Four Figures under a Tree is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Four Figures under a Tree

Allart van Everdingen , 1650

Four Figures under a Tree 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.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1650, this etching by the Dutch artist Jan Everdingen depicts a compact scene in which four cloaked figures gather beneath a densely branched tree. The composition is dominated by the tangled foliage, which occupies most of the picture plane, while the ground is littered with small leaves and vegetation, giving the work a sense of enclosed, shadowy space.

Subject & Meaning

The four robed individuals appear anonymous, their postures suggesting a moment of pause or contemplation. One figure holds a staff‑like object, hinting at travel or pilgrimage, while the others stand in varied stances that convey a quiet interaction with the natural environment. The dense tree canopy may symbolize shelter or the passage of time, though no explicit narrative is provided.

Technique & Style

Everdingen employed the traditional etching process, incising lines into a metal plate that produce a characteristic rough, textured surface. The lines are deliberately uneven, creating a chiaroscuro effect that emphasizes depth without the use of color. This scratchy, tonal approach renders the foliage and garments with a somber, atmospheric quality typical of mid‑17th‑century Dutch printmaking.

History & Provenance

Jan Everdingen, active during the Dutch Golden Age, was known for both painting and printmaking. This particular work belongs to his print output of the 1650s, a period when he explored monastic and landscape subjects. The etching has circulated among collectors of Dutch prints and is documented in several catalogues of Everdingen’s oeuvre, confirming its attribution and dating.

Artist & collection

Artist

Allart van Everdingen

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.