# Robbers on Horseback

**Jan van Huchtenburgh** (Dutch, 1647–1733)  
late 17th/early 18th century  
mezzotint

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1976.79.6. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.56197.html).

## About this work

Jan van Huchtenburgh made this in the late 17th/early 18th century. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

This is a drawing of a rural scene with horses and figures. The image shows an interaction between several figures and two horses within a pastoral setting. In the foreground, two individuals are seated on the ground, accompanied by a small child. Nearby, a figure atop a horse reaches towards another figure who leads a laden horse. A dog is present, standing alert at the horse's hooves. The backdrop showcases lush trees and distant hills, suggesting a serene countryside environment. The attention to detail and shading creates a realistic depiction of this rustic scene.

_Description from the National Gallery of Art._

### How it was made

- **Mezzotint.** The whole copper plate is roughened with a toothed rocker so it would print solid black. The artist then scrapes and burnishes it smooth where the lights should be, working from dark to light, which gives soft, velvety tones.

### [Jan van Huchtenburgh](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/jan-van-huchtenburgh)

Dutch, 1647–1733

## Facts

- Type: Print
- Century: 17th century
- Subjects: Tree, Dog, Horse, Basket, Figures
- Colour: grey
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1585.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1585/1920.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; 24 × 36 in $108
- 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; 24 × 36 in $258
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118; 20 × 30 in $148
- 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; 24 × 36 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/robbers-on-horseback-nga-56197).