Artwork

Landscape with Mountains, a River, and Elijah and the Raven

Landscape with Mountains, a River, and Elijah and the Raven, by Magdalena van de Passe, ink, 1624
Landscape with Mountains, a River, and Elijah and the Raven, by Magdalena van de Passe, ink, 1624

Landscape with Mountains, a River, and Elijah and the Raven is an ink print by the Baroque artist Magdalena van de Passe. It dates from 1624 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Landscape with Mountains, a River, and Elijah and the Raven is an engraving on laid paper created by Magdalena van de Passe around 1624. The work is part of the collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a dramatic, natural scene featuring a dense, rugged forest with gnarled trees and rocky hills, through which a river flows. A figure, identifiable as Elijah, is seated near a cave in the lower right, accompanied by a raven, alluding to the biblical narrative of Elijah's survival in the wilderness.

Technique & Style

The engraving showcases sharp, intricate lines and extensive cross-hatching, which creates deep shadows and textured details, emphasizing the dramatic and story-like quality of the landscape.

History & Provenance

Created in the 1620s, the engraving is attributed to Magdalena van de Passe and is currently housed at the National Gallery of Art in Washington. The print includes a dedicatory text at the bottom, naming the artist.

Context

As an engraving, the work exemplifies the technical skill of early 17th-century printmaking, which involved etching designs onto metal plates to produce detailed, reproducible images.

Artist & collection

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