Artwork
Two Peasants
Two Peasants is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Italian 15th Century. It dates from 1494 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Two Peasants is an engraving on laid paper, depicting two rustic individuals in casual attire and wide-brimmed hats, one stationary with a hand on his hip and the other in motion with a billowing cloak.
Subject & Meaning
The subject focuses on everyday, possibly laboring, individuals, presented in a straightforward manner without overt narrative or emotional emphasis, suggesting a documentary or observational approach to portraying common life.
Technique & Style
The engraving features scratchy, dark lines, indicative of rapid execution. The textured, laid paper with visible impressions from the metal plate etching adds to the overall aesthetic. Cross-hatching techniques are employed to achieve depth and dimensionality.
History & Provenance
No specific historical or provenance details are provided for Two Peasants, highlighting the need for further research into its creation date, artist, and ownership history.
Context
Given its medium and style, the work likely falls within the tradition of European printmaking, potentially from the 16th to 18th centuries, a period when engraving was commonly used for both artistic and reproductive purposes.
Artist & collection
Artist
This anonymous Italian engraver from the 1490s carved images that could be peeled apart like paper dolls—each knot in the "First Knot" print was cut from a single sheet so you could lift the loops right off the page.
![The Destruction of the Egyptian Idols [verso], by Italian 15th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/italian-15th-century--the-destruction-of-the-egyptian-idols-verso--646d3c2b8098cfee-w320.webp)
![The Flight into Egypt [recto], by Italian 15th Century](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/italian-15th-century--the-flight-into-egypt-recto--8f4d5275d7f90f98-w320.webp)
Blind Beggar and Companion![Rider and Standing Draped Man, after the Antique [verso], by Unknown](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/unknown--rider-and-standing-draped-man-after-the-antique-verso--ae6c9bffcbedd3ec-w320.webp)
Rider and Standing Draped Man, after the Antique [verso]
The Shepherd and the Old Warrior
Beggar Man and Woman
Studies for Christ Before Caiaphas
Three Figures
Saint Bartholomew and Saint Matthias
A Man Looking Out a Window
Blind Beggar and Companion
An Apostle Guided by an Angel
Two Standing Soldiers, One Wearing a Hat
Two Peasants