Artwork

River at the Foot of a High Rock

River at the Foot of a High Rock, by Allart van Everdingen, ink, 1650
River at the Foot of a High Rock, by Allart van Everdingen, ink, 1650

River at the Foot of a High Rock 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

River at the Foot of a High Rock is an etching created by Allart van Everdingen around 1650. It depicts a serene landscape featuring a river and a prominent rock formation.

Subject & Meaning

The etching shows a rocky outcrop rising from a river, with trees at its base and small buildings on top. A tiny boat with figures is visible on the water. The scene conveys a sense of stillness and emphasizes the natural beauty of the landscape.

Technique & Style

Everdingen used varied line work to convey texture, contrasting the roughness of the rocks with the smoothness of the water. The etching technique allowed for detailed rendering of the scene, capturing atmospheric effects and the play of light on the landscape.

Context

The work reflects the Dutch Golden Age interest in landscape art, with Everdingen's focus on rugged terrain and natural scenery characteristic of the period.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Allart van Everdingen

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.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.