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Jan van de Velde, II

Earth, plate one from The Four Elements

1622
Etching and engraving on ivory laid paper
17.3 × 27.9 cm (6.8 × 11 in)

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

This four-sheet series on the elements earth, air, fire, and water offers an updated view of the antique categories for understanding the natural world by demonstrating the types of nourishment the elements provide. Earth invokes cattle and plants, Air shows falcons ready to ensnare birds, Water displays the abundant fruits of the sea, and Fire shows cannon fire and also alludes to the power of heat for cooking. Jan van de Velde II copied several sets of designs after Willem Butewech, including four plates on the story of Jonah and costume imagery.

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