Artwork
Village Steeple at the Seaside
Village Steeple at the Seaside 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
An etching titled *Village Steeple at the Seaside* was produced by Anthonie Waterloo around the middle of the 17th century, dated 1650. The work presents a compact coastal settlement centered on a prominent church spire, rendered in the monochrome tonalities typical of printmaking of the period.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a tranquil hamlet perched beside a waterway, with a tall, pointed steeple dominating the skyline. Small dwellings, scattered trees, and a shoreline dotted with modest vessels frame the scene, suggesting a quiet, everyday life tied to both land and sea.
Technique & Style
Waterloo employed the etching process, incising lines into a metal plate with acid to create delicate, linear marks. The artist’s handling of line conveys the steep roof of the church, the rippling surface of the water, and the airy quality of the sky through light, wavering strokes that emphasize texture over shading.
History & Provenance
Created in 1650, the print belongs to the early modern Dutch tradition of topographical and genre scenes. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work has been catalogued among Waterloo’s known prints and is representative of the period’s interest in documenting rural and maritime environments.
Artist & collection
