Jan van de Velde II (Dutch, c.1593-1641)
after Willem Buytewech (Dutch, 1591/92-1624)
Earth, plate one from The Four Elements
INV-6098
Jan van de Velde II (Dutch, c.1593-1641)
after Willem Buytewech (Dutch, 1591/92-1624)1622
Earth, plate one from The Four Elements
Jan van de Velde II (Dutch, c.1593-1641) after Willem Buytewech (Dutch, 1591/92-1624) →engravingprint
Date
1622
Medium
Etching and engraving on ivory laid paper
Dimensions
Image: 17.3 × 27.9 cm (6 13/16 × 11 in.); Sheet: 19.4 × 29.3 cm (7 11/16 × 11 9/16 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
William McCallin McKee Memorial Endowment
This four-sheet series on the elements earth, air, fire, and water offers an updated view of the antique categories for understanding the natural world by demonstrating the types of nourishment the elements provide. Earth invokes cattle and plants, Air shows falcons ready to ensnare birds, Water displays the abundant fruits of the sea, and Fire shows cannon fire and also alludes to the power of heat for cooking. Jan van de Velde II copied several sets of designs after Willem Butewech, including four plates on the story of Jonah and costume imagery.
Also notable
Works in the same vein
Air, plate two from The Four Elements
Jan van de Velde II (Dutch, c.1593-1641) after Willem Buytewech (Dutch, 1591/92-1624)
Fire, plate four from The Four Elements
Jan van de Velde II (Dutch, c.1593-1641) after Willem Buytewech (Dutch, 1591/92-1624)
Water, plate three from The Four Elements
Jan van de Velde II (Dutch, c.1593-1641) after Willem Buytewech (Dutch, 1591/92-1624)
