Artwork
The Wolf and the Well
The Wolf and the Well 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 by Dutch artist Allart van Everdingen, *The Wolf and the Well* is an etched print that captures a solitary wolf at the edge of a stone well. The composition places the animal on the right, the well at the centre, and a muted forest backdrop beyond, inviting a quiet, contemplative mood.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a wolf pausing to drink, its front paws resting on the well’s wall, while it gazes inward. This encounter between wild creature and human-made structure suggests a moment of stillness and introspection, reflecting Everdingen’s interest in natural scenes that carry a subtle narrative tension.
Technique & Style
Executed in copperplate etching, the work demonstrates Everdingen’s command of line and tonal variation. Fine incised lines render the texture of stone and fur, while cross‑hatching creates depth and a play of light and shadow that models the wolf and the surrounding foliage, giving the scene a three‑dimensional presence.
History & Provenance
Allart van Everdingen, known for both paintings and prints, produced this etching during the mid‑17th‑century Dutch Golden Age. While specific ownership records are scarce, the print has been documented in several European collections of Dutch graphic art, confirming its circulation among connoisseurs of the period.
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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.
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