Sawbill, Bittern, Heron and Teal
1600
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
Artist
Adriaen Collaert
Adriaen Collaert (1560–1618) was a Flemish artist, born in Antwerp.
See the richer artist page1600
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Sawbill, Bittern, Heron and Teal is a 1600 ink by Adriaen Collaert, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white print shows four birds in a marshy setting. Tall reeds fill the background, while the birds—two standing, one sitting, and one nestling—are detailed with sharp lines. The larger birds have long necks and beaks, and the smallest one looks like it’s hatching from an egg. The artist used fine lines and shading to create texture, making the feathers and plants look almost real. This kind of careful drawing was common in the 1600s for studying nature. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
Adriaen Collaert (1560–1618) was a Flemish artist, born in Antwerp.
See the richer artist page
