The Crafty Bird-Catcher (Insidiosus auceps), from "The Large Landscapes" (ca. 1555–56, Met-Objekt 1959)
Original title: The Crafty Bird-Catcher (Insidiosus auceps), from "The Large Landscapes"
kurzbeschreibung
Unlike many landscape prints of its time, this etching by Johannes van Doetecum I from around 1555–56 places a vast mountain scene at its heart, where a village, a deep ravine and a lone traveler with donkey and dog converge. The sheet belongs to the series 'The Large Landscapes', prized for its wealth of detail in landscape depiction.
Description
A mountain range dominates the horizontal layout, cut by a deep ravine. In the foreground lies a village with several buildings, including a church with a tower. On a path along the ravine, a man makes his way with a donkey and dog, while two birds fly in the sky. The black-and-white image uses lines and hatching to give terrain and architecture a sculptural presence.
Context
In the mid-16th century, landscape began to establish itself as an independent subject in the Netherlands, and this work dates from that period. Johannes van Doetecum I worked as a copper engraver and often collaborated with his brother Lucas; together they helped spread landscape prints. The series 'The Large Landscapes' goes back to designs by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, which underscores the sheet's place within Flemish landscape art.
Impact
A calm, expansive landscape mood emanates from the print, carried by precise linework and a clear structure. The immense mountain backdrop makes the human figure appear small and creates a sublime, almost contemplative atmosphere. Because the technique remains monochrome, topographical details and draftsmanship come to the fore.
Technique
Etching and engraving are combined here, allowing both fine lines and exact hatching. The plate was presumably first treated with etching ground and then reworked with a burin to achieve soft transitions alongside hard contours. The sheet measures 30.5 x 42.5 cm and reflects the common printmaking practice of the Dutch Renaissance.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)