The Golden Age

1644

Netherlandish 17th Century after Nicolaes de Bruyn after Abraham Bloemaert

Associated Names
Jean Le Blond I

Publisher, French, 1590/1594 - 1666

Abraham Bloemaert

Artist After, Dutch, 1566 - 1651

Nicolaes de Bruyn

Artist After, Flemish, 1565/1571 - 1656

The image is a black-and-white engraving depicting a pastoral scene from a slightly elevated point of view. The landscape includes rolling hills, a grove of trees, and figures engaged in various activities surrounded by lush vegetation. The composition heavily features trees with leaves and branches meticulously etched. Sunlight filters through the clouds in the background, casting rays that illuminate parts of the scene. Close to us, figures relax beneath the trees while animals such as a peacock and a goat mingle among them. The engraving uses fine lines and cross-hatching to create depth and texture, resulting in a rich visual experience. The color palette is monochromatic, relying on light and dark shades to convey the scene's details and lushness.

Media Options

This object’s media is free and in the public domain. Read our full Open Access policy for images.

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    engraving on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    sheet (cut to platemark): 44.2 x 69.1 cm (17 3/8 x 27 3/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2002.77.1

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Roethlisberger 1993, no. 70, copy 3


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(William H. Schab Master Prints and Drawings Inc., New York); purchased 2002 by NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1993

  • Roethlisberger, Marcel G. Abraham Bloemaert and His Sons: Paintings and Prints. 2 vols. Doornspijk, 1993.

2014

  • The New Hollstein Dutch & Flemish Etchings, Engravings and Woodcuts, 1450-1700. Nicolaes de Bruyn. Compiled by Lorena A. Baines and edited by Nadine M. Orenstein. Ouderkerk aan den Ijssell: Sound & Vision Publishers, 2014, no. 215, copy b.

Inscriptions

lower left in plate: le Blond exc.; lower right in cartouche: Auria Saturno Butilabant Secula Rege / Nectaris et passim flumina lactis Erant / Spontedecus florum tellus inculta ferebat / Bacchiq[ue] et Cereris Sponte ferebat opes. / 1644; lower left, in brown ink by a later hand: 46

Wikidata ID

Q76335889

You may be interested in

Loading Results