Who painted Four Dancing Children and Two Making Music?

Four Dancing Children and Two Making Music was painted by Erasmus Quellinus II in 1645.

Where can I see Four Dancing Children and Two Making Music?

Four Dancing Children and Two Making Music is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Four Dancing Children and Two Making Music?

Four Dancing Children and Two Making Music is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Four Dancing Children and Two Making Music?

Museum-quality prints of Four Dancing Children and Two Making Music are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Four Dancing Children and Two Making Music

Erasmus Quellinus II , 1645

Four Dancing Children and Two Making Music is an ink print by the Baroque artist Erasmus Quellinus II. It dates from 1645 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:in plate, in image, at lower center: E. Quellinius F. cum privilegio; in plate, in image, at lower right: E. Quellinius F. cum privlegio; by later hand, lower left verso in graphite: FV [not deciphered] / ASHeyden 4
Markings: Marked:Franz Rechberger [1771-1843], Vienna (Lugt 2133), dated 1800

About this work

Overview

Four Dancing Children and Two Making Music is a 17th-century etching on laid paper, attributed to Erasmus Quellinus II and dated circa 1645. The work is part of the collection at the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

Subject & Meaning

The etching depicts six barefoot children in a wooded landscape. Four are engaged in a circular dance with arms raised, while two others play musical instruments, identified as a lute and a small drum. The scene conveys a sense of lively, somewhat untamed, youthful joy within a fantastical, forested setting.

Technique & Style

Quellinus II employed fine etching lines to capture dynamic movement and texture. Notable details include the intricate rendering of the children’s curly hair and the rugged bark of twisted trees in the background, set against a rocky hillside and dense bushes.

History & Provenance

Created around 1645, the etching is now held in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., though specific details of its provenance prior to acquisition are not provided here.

Context

This work reflects the Baroque period’s fascination with capturing movement and emotion. The use of etching as a medium allowed for widespread dissemination of such scenes, potentially influencing or reflecting contemporary views on youth and nature.

Legacy

While specific legacy details are not emphasized, the etching remains a characteristic example of 17th-century etching techniques and the artistic portrayal of youthful innocence in a natural, idyllic setting.

Own this work as a print

Artist & collection

Artist

Erasmus Quellinus II

Erasmus Quellinus the Younger or Erasmus Quellinus II (November 19, 1607 – November 11, 1678) was a Flemish painter, engraver, draughtsman and tapestry designer who worked in various genres including history, portrait, allegorical, battle…