The Tree with a Double Trunk
1628
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1628
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Tree with a Double Trunk is a 1628 ink by Herman van Swanevelt, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows a black-and-white scene of a large tree with two thick trunks standing in a field. The branches spread wide, filling most of the picture, while a small path winds through the grass below. In the distance, a lone figure walks near a tiny village and a sailboat on a river. The artist used fine lines to create texture, making the tree look dense and the ground look uneven. This kind of detailed linework is typical of prints, not paintings. Next, look up *etching* to see how artists like this one create prints with acid and metal plates.
