Man Crossing Log Bridge over Torrent

Man Crossing Log Bridge over Torrent is a powerful drawing attributed to the circle of Jan van Eyck (Netherlandish, c. 1390-1441) or alternatively placed in the style of the later Dutch artist Allart van Everdingen (1621-1675). Executed circa 1410-1441, the work utilizes pen and brown ink, strengthened by brush and brown wash, meticulously applied over traces of graphite on pale gray laid paper.

The classification as a drawing places it among a rare category of independent landscape studies surviving from the Early Netherlandish period, if the attribution to Eyck's circle holds. The composition captures a solitary figure navigating a precarious log bridge that spans a fiercely rushing torrent. The artist emphasizes the dramatic tension between the fragile human presence and the imposing, rugged landscape. The detailed handling of the rocky terrain and the rushing water foregrounds the power of nature, a theme that gained increasing prominence in art across the Netherlands centuries later.

The complexity of the attribution, spanning two distinct centuries of Dutch and Netherlandish art history, speaks to the enduring stylistic quality of the piece. If associated with Everdingen, the drawing fits within the Dutch Golden Age tradition of expressive, rugged landscapes often seen in his graphic work. Regardless of its precise origin, this piece serves as a foundational example of landscape drawing.

This important work resides in the distinguished collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Due to its historical significance and age, the image is frequently made available in the public domain, allowing high-quality archival prints and reproductions of the work to circulate widely for study and appreciation.