Artwork
The Star of Kings, a Night Piece
The Star of Kings, a Night Piece is an ink print by the Baroque artist Velde, Jan van de, II. It dates from 1630 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower right in plate: P / Molyn del.; rest by later hands, center verso in graphite: 5; lower left verso in graphite: Fr.-v.d.K. no II(4) / 77324
About this work
Overview
Created in 1630, The Star of Kings, a Night Piece is an engraving executed on laid paper. The work presents a nocturnal landscape illuminated by a solitary, radiant star. Its composition balances dark atmospheric tones with finely rendered highlights, inviting the viewer to contemplate the quiet intensity of a night sky.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures a solitary celestial body dominating a night scene, suggesting themes of guidance, solitude, or the vastness of the heavens. The stark contrast between the dark surroundings and the luminous star emphasizes the interplay of light and darkness, a common motif in early‑modern visual culture that invites reflection on the natural world.
Technique & Style
Van de Velde employed traditional copper‑plate engraving, incising lines that were then inked and pressed onto laid paper. This method allowed for precise, delicate hatching and cross‑hatching, producing subtle textures and tonal gradations that convey depth and atmospheric perspective. The meticulous line work reflects the Dutch printmakers’ emphasis on realism and detail.
History & Provenance
Jan van de Velde II, a prominent figure of the Dutch Golden Age, produced the engraving as part of his broader oeuvre that included animals, landscapes, and still‑lifes. He was the son of Jan van de Velde the Elder and the father of still‑life painter Jan Jansz van de Velde, situating the work within a notable artistic lineage.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Jan van de Velde the younger (1593 – c. 1 November 1641) was a Dutch Golden Age painter and printmaker, mostly of animal, landscape and still-life subjects. He was the son of Jan van de Velde the Elder and the father of…
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