Gnarled Trees and Twisted Roots Before a Swamp

ca. 1608–09

Not on view

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.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Catalogue Raisonné

References

Title: Gnarled Trees and Twisted Roots Before a Swamp
Artist: Roelandt Savery (Flemish, Kortrijk 1576–1639 Utrecht)
Date: ca. 1608–09
Medium: Etching; first state of two
Dimensions: Sheet: 4 15/16 × 5 11/16 in. (12.5 × 14.5 cm)
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Funds from various donors, in memory of Walter Liedtke, 2017
Object Number: 2017.408
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

By Roelandt Savery

In the same medium

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Study of a Tree, Roelandt Savery Flemish, Gray watercolor wash, a red chalk wash, charcoal dipped in oil, and graphite on off-white laid paper — Study of a Tree
Roelandt Savery
ca. 1606–7

Woodland scene with marshy banks, from "Six Landscapes in Tyrol", Roelandt Savery Flemish, Engraving — Woodland scene with marshy banks, from "Six Landscapes in Tyrol"
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1600

Ruined aqueduct with water spilling from it to a stream below, ships at sea beyond, a man reclining on the ground with three goats in the foreground, from "Six Landscapes in Tyrol", Roelandt Savery Flemish, Engraving — Ruined aqueduct with water spilling from it to a stream below, ships at sea beyond, a man reclining on the ground with three goats in the foreground, from "Six Landscapes in Tyrol"
Roelandt Savery
Aegidius Sadeler II
ca. 1600

A man holding a staff and seated on a tree trunk; with two goats to either side; surrounded by downed trees, foliage, and a stream, from "Six Landscapes", Roelandt Savery Flemish, Engraving — A man holding a staff and seated on a tree trunk; with two goats to either side; surrounded by downed trees, foliage, and a stream, from "Six Landscapes"
Multiple artists/makers
ca. 1600

A Hungarian Horseman, Roelandt Savery Flemish, Black chalk, watercolor — A Hungarian Horseman
Roelandt Savery
late 16th–mid 17th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.