Artwork
Draun River
Draun River is an ink print by the Baroque artist Melchior Küsel. It dates from 1681 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Draun River, executed in 1681, is an etching by the German printmaker Melchior Küsel. The work presents a narrow watercourse threading its way through a densely wooded landscape, with the river’s surface rendered in a series of delicate ripples that suggest swift movement. In the background, low hills recede into a muted horizon, providing a sense of depth to the scene.
Subject & Meaning
The composition captures a naturalistic view of a river flanked by a thicket of trees whose intertwined branches frame the waterway. The dense foliage and the dynamic flow of the river convey a moment of vigorous interaction between land and water, evoking the vitality of a forested riverine environment.
Technique & Style
Küsel employed the fine, incised lines characteristic of 17th‑century etching to delineate both the turbulent surface of the river and the intricate bark of the trees. The contrast between the tightly rendered arboreal forms and the softer, stippled water surface demonstrates a controlled hand that balances precision with atmospheric suggestion.
History & Provenance
Created in the late 1600s, Draun River reflects Küsel’s engagement with landscape subjects during a period when printmaking served both artistic and documentary purposes. While specific ownership records are scarce, the print is known from surviving impressions that have been catalogued in collections of early modern German prints.
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