Mercury Silencing Battus
1628
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
Artist
Herman van Swanevelt
Herman van Swanevelt (1603–1655) was a Dutch artist, born in Woerden.
See the richer artist page1628
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Mercury Silencing Battus is a 1628 ink by Herman van Swanevelt, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white print shows a quiet forest scene with a few people and animals. Two horses stand near a tree, while a person in robes walks beside another figure who seems to be pointing or gesturing. The trees are thick with branches, and the sky is light, almost like a soft wash. A fallen log lies in the foreground, adding texture to the ground. The artist used fine lines to create depth, especially in the trees and sky. The way the light hits the figures suggests a peaceful moment, maybe a story unfolding. This is an etching, which means the image was carved into a metal plate and then printed. Look up etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
Herman van Swanevelt (1603–1655) was a Dutch artist, born in Woerden.
See the richer artist pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
