Artwork
Two Recumbent Sheep
Two Recumbent Sheep is an ink print by the Baroque artist Adriaen van de Velde. It dates from 1670 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
You see two sheep lying down in a simple landscape.
The artist made this etching in 1670, which is interesting because it was a time when many artists were focusing on painting.
The level of detail in the sheep's fur and the landscape is notable, showing the artist's skill.
Look up the technique of etching to learn more about how this artwork was created.
Overview
Two Recumbent Sheep is a 1670 etching on laid paper by Adriaen van de Velde, a Dutch artist known for his landscapes with animals and genre scenes. The work features two sheep in a serene landscape, exemplifying his attention to detail and composition.
Subject & Meaning
The subject of Two Recumbent Sheep is a peaceful pastoral scene, reflecting van de Velde's adherence to the Dutch Italianate tradition. This style combined the realism of Dutch rural life with the idealized settings of Italian landscapes, conveying a sense of calm and harmony.
Technique & Style
The etching showcases van de Velde's skill in capturing intricate details, notably in the texture of the sheep's fur and the surrounding landscape. His use of etching, a meticulous process, highlights his precision and control over the medium.
History & Provenance
Created in 1670, a period when painting dominated, Two Recumbent Sheep stands out as a testament to van de Velde's proficiency in printmaking. The artist's death two years later, in 1672, marks the end of his productive career.
Context
Produced during the Dutch Golden Age, the etching situates van de Velde within a broader artistic movement that valued realism and the depiction of everyday life, albeit with an Italianate flair in this case.
Legacy
While specific long-term impacts of Two Recumbent Sheep are not widely documented, it remains a characteristic example of van de Velde's contribution to Dutch printmaking and the Dutch Italianate tradition of the 17th century.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Adriaen van de Velde, was a Dutch painter, draughtsman, and print artist. His favorite subjects were landscapes with animals and genre scenes. He also painted beaches, dunes, forests, winter scenes, portraits in…
