1570
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Spring is a 1570 ink by Pieter van der Heyden, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This crowded scene shows a busy farmyard full of people working. Sheep are being herded, a man is milking, and others are carrying buckets or digging. In the background, a village with a church and fields stretches out under a clear sky. Notice how tiny details—like the birds in the sky or the tools on the ground—add life to the scene. The Latin text at the bottom hints this isn’t just a farm; it’s a symbol of spring’s arrival. Want to see how this was made? Look up engraving.
Pieter van der Heyden (c. 1530 - after March 1572) was a Flemish printmaker who is known for his reproductive engravings after works by leading Flemish painters and designers of the 16th century.
See the richer artist page
