Artwork

A Wooden and a Stone Bridge

A Wooden and a Stone Bridge, by Antonie Waterloo, ink, 1650
A Wooden and a Stone Bridge, by Antonie Waterloo, ink, 1650

A Wooden and a Stone Bridge is an ink print by the Baroque artist Antonie Waterloo. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Anthonie Waterloo’s 1650 etching, titled A Wooden and a Stone Bridge, presents a tranquil riverscape rendered in monochrome. The composition juxtaposes two distinct bridges—a timber structure and a stone arch—spanning a calm waterway, with a modest village and a church steeple nestled in the background.

Subject & Meaning

The scene captures everyday life in a rural setting: simple dwellings line the banks, trees frame the landscape, and a solitary figure kneels near the stone bridge, perhaps engaged in fishing or taking a brief rest. The dual bridges may suggest a contrast between temporary and enduring constructions.

Technique & Style

Waterloo employed the etching process, incising fine lines into a metal plate with acid to achieve delicate textures. The print’s intricate detailing—such as the bark of trees, the planking of the wooden bridge, and the smooth stonework—demonstrates the artist’s control of line and tonal variation within the medium of laid paper.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑17th century, the work reflects the Dutch printmaking tradition of the period. While specific ownership records are scarce, the etching is catalogued among Waterloo’s known prints and is held in several European collections that specialize in early modern graphic art.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Antonie Waterloo

Artist

Antonie Waterloo

Antonie Waterloo (1609–1690) was a Dutch artist, born in Lille.

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