Artwork
The Great Flood of January 10, 1624 (or Repairing the Broken Dike on the River Lek by Vianen, 1624)
The Great Flood of January 10, 1624 (or Repairing the Broken Dike on the River Lek by Vianen, 1624) is a print by the Baroque artist Esaias van de Velde. It dates from 1624 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Great Flood of January 10, 1624 is a print created by Esaias van de Velde in 1624. It depicts a landscape ravaged by flooding, with figures attempting to repair a damaged dike.
Subject & Meaning
The scene shows a catastrophic flood event along the River Lek, with people working to fix a broken dike. Letters annotated on the print, such as 'B' and 'D', suggest that the image represents a specific real event.
Technique & Style
The print is characterized by detailed depictions of natural and human activity, reflecting van de Velde's skill as a landscape painter and printmaker. The image is annotated with letters, indicating a focus on documentation.
Context
The work is a product of the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by a growing interest in landscape art. Van de Velde's print reflects this trend, capturing a moment of crisis and response in a rural landscape.
Artist & collection
Artist
Esaias van de Velde (17 May 1587 (baptized) – 18 November 1630 (buried)) was a Dutch Golden Age painter, mainly of landscapes and a printmaker who experimented with etching.
