Who painted Village with Pond?

Village with Pond was painted by Cornelis Ploos van Amstel in 1782.

Where can I see Village with Pond?

Village with Pond is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Village with Pond?

Village with Pond is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Village with Pond?

Museum-quality prints of Village with Pond are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Village with Pond

Cornelis Ploos van Amstel , 1782

Village with Pond is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Cornelis Ploos van Amstel. It dates from 1782 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower left in image on stone: AVE
Markings: Marked:verso: artist's mark (Eusman 10)

About this work

Overview

Cornelis Ploos van Amstel’s print Village with Pond dates to around 1782. Executed as an aquatint with additional roulette work and burnishing, the image is printed in a warm red‑brown hue on laid paper. The composition presents a tranquil rural scene centered on a pond surrounded by modest wooden dwellings and a distant church steeple.

Subject & Meaning

The view captures everyday life in a small settlement: figures stroll along pathways, carts and wagons pause near the water’s edge, and a solitary sailboat drifts on the pond. The arrangement of houses, thatched roofs, and the church tower suggests a harmonious relationship between community and landscape, emphasizing both activity and repose.

Technique & Style

Ploos van Amstel employed a layered aquatint process, using a scratchy, tonal application of ink to achieve varied brown shades. Roulette work adds fine texture, while selective burnishing creates highlights. The print’s delicate line work, such as the rendering of wagon wheels and a dog, contributes subtle depth and a sense of movement within the calm setting.

Context

Created in the late 18th century, the work reflects the Dutch tradition of topographical prints that documented rural environments. The artist’s use of aquatint aligns with contemporary experiments in tonal variation, allowing a more atmospheric representation than line‑only engraving.

History & Provenance

The print is known from catalogues of Ploos van Amstel’s oeuvre and is held in several public collections. Its dating to circa 1782 is based on stylistic comparison with other works by the artist from the same period.