The Sower
1621
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1621
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Sower is a 1621 ink by Willem Buytewech, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a lone figure bent over in a field, scattering seeds. Tall, skinny trees line the background, and a small hill with a few buildings sits behind them. The lines are sharp and busy, with lots of cross-hatching to show light and shadow. The artist used a technique that lets them scratch directly into the metal plate, creating texture with the tool’s pressure. This isn’t a painting—it’s a print, made by pressing paper onto inked metal. Next, look up etching to see how this process works.
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