Artwork
A Waterfall
A Waterfall is an ink print by the Baroque artist Crescenzio Onofri. It dates from 1696 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:later hand lower center verso in graphite: B.6 / 94; center right verso in graphite: ST8384L155; lower right verso in graphite: F
About this work
Overview
Crescenzio Onofri’s 1696 etching entitled A Waterfall presents a monochrome landscape where water cascades over a rocky ledge, framed by trees and low hills. In the background, a modest settlement perched on a rise is accessed by a winding road, creating a sense of depth within the compact composition.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures a natural scene that juxtaposes the dynamic motion of falling water with the tranquil surroundings of foliage and distant habitation. The inclusion of a small town suggests a harmonious relationship between humanity and the environment, a common theme in late‑seventeenth‑century landscape art.
Technique & Style
Onofri employs the etching process, using fine, incised lines to render textures such as bark, rock, and the fluidity of water. The delicate cross‑hatching creates tonal variation, while the crisp outlines give the composition a precise, almost scientific clarity characteristic of the period’s printmaking.
History & Provenance
Created in 1696, the work reflects the artist’s engagement with the popular European fascination for picturesque scenery. While specific ownership records are scarce, the print has been documented in several early catalogues of Italian etchers, indicating its circulation among collectors of graphic art in the eighteenth century.
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