Gnarled Tree

Roelandt Savery

ca. 1608–09 · Etching; first state of two · Drawings and Prints

In a dense woodland swamp a dead tree is overtaken by one that is thriving, abundant with foliage. They twist into a wild tangle of roots and branches rendered with lively and intricate lines. A trio of tiny travelers, tucked beyond the trees, makes their way along a hilly path. A freely-etched dog bounds forward beside them. Savery may have drawn inspiration for this scene during the time that he spent traveling and sketching the landscape of the Tyrolean Alps. Savery made only three prints. This is an inky impression of the first state the etching. The artist’s name was inscribed on the print in the second state.

Artist

Roelandt Savery

Date

ca. 1608–09

Medium

Etching; first state of two

Department

Drawings and Prints

Credit line

Funds from various donors, in memory of Walter Liedtke, 2017