Artwork
Landscape with a Large Rainbow
Landscape with a Large Rainbow is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Schelte Adams Bolswert. It dates from 1638 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower left in plate: P.P. Rubens pinxit / S. a. Bolswert sculpsit; lower right in plate: Gillis Hendricx excudit; by later hand, lower right verso in graphite: 5-53-11 / 970592
About this work
Overview
Landscape with a Large Rainbow is a print created around 1638 by Schelte Adamsz. Bolswert, a Frisian engraver active in Antwerp. The work is an etching and engraving on laid paper.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a serene countryside scene at dusk, with a winding river and figures engaged in everyday activities. A faint rainbow arches over the distant hills, adding a touch of drama to the tranquil atmosphere.
Technique & Style
Bolswert employed fine lines and a combination of etching and engraving to capture the interplay of light and shadow, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere in the scene. The contrast between dark trees and bright sky contributes to the overall balance of the composition.
History & Provenance
Bolswert worked primarily in Rubens' workshop, specializing in reproductive prints after major artists like Rubens and Anthony van Dyck, although this particular work is a landscape scene.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Schelte a Bolswert or Schelte Adamsz. Bolswert (c. 1586 – 1659) was a Frisian engraver who worked most of his career in Antwerp where he was one of the lead engravers in Rubens' workshop. He is known for his…
