View of the River Rhine

View of the River Rhine

Jan van Aken

1638

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This black-and-white print shows a busy riverside scene. A rocky shore lines the water, where a few people stand or crouch near a small boat. In the distance, ships float on the river, and a town clings to a hilly landscape under a cloudy sky. Notice how the artist uses fine lines to show texture—even the waves and clouds look hand-drawn. The scene feels alive with activity, but the details are simple and precise. Want to see more prints like this? Try looking up etching to see how artists create these kinds of images.

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