Wood with on the Right a Pool - Aegidius Sadeler II

A detailed seventeenth-century etching by Aegidius Sadeler II, after a design by Roelandt Savery, depicting a dense woodland scene with a quiet pool.

This etching, titled Wood with on the Right a Pool, demonstrates the technical precision of Aegidius Sadeler II, a prominent member of the Sadeler family of engravers. The work is based on an invention by Roelandt Savery, whose influence is visible in the treatment of the gnarled, ancient trees that dominate the foreground. The composition employs a classic Northern European approach to forest scenes, where the heavy, textured bark of the trees creates a sense of physical presence, while the receding pool and distant figures provide a counterpoint of depth.

Sadeler uses a variety of hatching techniques to define the light and shadow across the foliage and the rough surfaces of the trunks. The interplay between the dense, dark canopy and the lighter, open area near the water creates a balanced visual rhythm. Small figures are positioned near the pool, adding a sense of scale to the towering trees. The inscription at the bottom, 'Roulant. Savery. Inuent: Egidius Sadeler excud.', clarifies the collaborative nature of the print, noting Savery as the designer and Sadeler as the publisher and engraver. This print reflects the interest in naturalistic observation combined with the stylistic conventions of the period, where the forest is rendered with a focus on texture and atmospheric detail rather than strict realism. The work remains a fine example of early seventeenth-century printmaking, capturing the quiet, observant mood of the woodland setting through controlled line work and careful tonal management.