Water
1568
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1568
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Water is a 1568 ink by Jost Amman, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This print shows a chaotic, swirling scene full of strange shapes and tiny figures. At the center is a giant, rough-looking creature with a shell-like back, surrounded by smaller human-like babies holding weapons. Around it, fish, sea monsters, and tangled vines fill the space, all drawn in sharp, dark lines. The artist packed every inch with meaning—this isn’t just a picture of water, but a symbol for something bigger. The messy, crowded style suggests the unknown depths of the sea, full of both beauty and danger. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this made intricate prints using acid and metal.
