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Elijah in the Wilderness, by Herman van Swanevelt, ink, 1628

Elijah in the Wilderness

Herman van Swanevelt

1628

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Dominant colour

Overview

Elijah in the Wilderness is a 1628 ink by Herman van Swanevelt, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?
Herman van Swanevelt
When & what style?
1628 · Baroque
Where can I see it?
National Gallery of Art

About this work

This black-and-white print shows a lone figure standing in a forest. The person has their arms raised, like they’re reaching for something. Around them, trees tower over a rocky hillside, and a small stream winds through the scene. In the distance, a few animals graze near a fence. The figure looks like they’re alone, but the text at the top hints this is a story about faith and survival. The artist used fine lines to create deep shadows and texture, making the trees look almost three-dimensional. Next, check out the technique: etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.

About the artist

More by Herman van Swanevelt

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