# Cascade under a Stone Bridge

**Jan van de Velde II** (Dutch, c. 1593–1641)  
c. 1616  
etching on laid paper  
plate: 12.1 x 19 cm (4 3/4 x 7 1/2 in.) sheet: 12.7 x 19.5 cm (5 x 7 11/16 in.)

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2002.98.68. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.119790.html).

## About this work

Jan van de Velde II made this in about 1616, aged 23. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

The image shows a pastoral scene in black and white with fine line work. A small bridge with a circular archway crosses a stream. A dirt path winds through the landscape flanked by grass and bushes. A rocky cliff ascends on the left with a tower-like structure partially obscured by vegetation. The horizon features a cloudy sky, with swirling lines indicating motion. In the distance, a tall, thin structure, possibly a spire or chimney, stands amid faint hills and trees. The scene conveys a serene atmosphere through hatching and cross-hatching techniques.

_Description from the National Gallery of Art._

### How it was made

- **Etching.** The artist draws with a needle through a waxy coating on a copper plate, and acid bites the exposed lines. The plate is then inked, wiped and printed under pressure, so the line keeps the freedom of drawing.
- **Laid paper.** Handmade on a mould of close-set wires, which leave fine parallel lines you can see when the sheet is held to the light.

### [Jan van de Velde II](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/jan-van-de-velde-ii)

Dutch, c. 1593–1641

## Facts

- Type: Print
- The artist was 23
- Real size: about 5 × 7½ in (12 × 19 cm). The original is small: even the 8 × 10 in print shows it larger than life.
- Century: 17th century
- Subjects: Bridge, Tree, Water, Rock, Cart
- Colour: white
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1652.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1652/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/cascade-under-a-stone-bridge-nga-119790).