1700
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
View of the Tiber in the Campagna is a 1700 ink by Jan Both, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a quiet riverside scene with a group of people and animals near the water’s edge. Tall trees frame the left side, while a bridge and distant buildings appear in the background. The river curves gently, and a small boat sits on the bank, with a few figures standing or walking around it. Notice how the artist used fine lines to create depth—trees, clouds, and even the folds of clothing are made with careful strokes. This isn’t paint; it’s an etching, where the design is scratched into a metal plate. Check out etching to see how artists like this made prints before photography.
Jan Dirksz Both was a Dutch painter, draughtsman, and etcher, who made an important contribution to the development of Dutch Italianate landscape painting.
See the richer artist page
