Who painted Skiff at a River Bank?

Skiff at a River Bank was painted by Allart van Everdingen in 1650.

Where can I see Skiff at a River Bank?

Skiff at a River Bank is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Skiff at a River Bank?

Skiff at a River Bank is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Skiff at a River Bank

Allart van Everdingen , 1650

Skiff at a River Bank 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, *Skiff at a River Bank* is a print by Dutch artist Allart van Everdingen. Executed with a blend of etching, engraving and dry‑point on a metal plate, the work measures the modest scale typical of 17th‑century graphic pieces and presents a tranquil riverside scene.

Subject & Meaning

The image shows a small boat tied to a riverbank, its hull resting among rocks and low vegetation. Tall trees dominate the background, their branches forming a dense canopy through which a church steeple can be glimpsed, suggesting a quiet, rural setting and the artist’s interest in everyday landscape moments.

Technique & Style

Van Everdingen combined three intaglio methods: etching for broader tonal areas, engraving for precise, controlled lines, and dry‑point for softer, velvety strokes. This mix yields fine textural detail in the foliage and water, while the varied line work creates a sense of atmospheric depth characteristic of his graphic oeuvre.

History & Provenance

The print belongs to the mid‑career period when van Everdingen focused on landscape subjects in both painting and printmaking. It was likely produced for the Dutch market, where such prints were collected as affordable depictions of the countryside. Specific ownership records before the modern era are scarce.

Context

During the Dutch Golden Age, landscape imagery flourished, reflecting both national pride and a fascination with nature’s quiet beauty. Van Everdingen, also known for his dramatic forest scenes, applied his skillful handling of line to more serene compositions such as this, aligning with contemporary tastes for detailed, topographically accurate prints.

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.