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The Seesaw

Unknown

1770

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque 18th Century

Dominant colour

The Seesaw is a 1770 ink by Unknown, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Unknown
When & what style?: 1770 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This scene shows a fancy garden with a ruined temple and tall columns. People in old-fashioned clothes are scattered around—some are walking, others are lounging near a pond. A woman in a light dress is tipping backward on a seesaw, while a man in dark clothes leans on a post nearby. The background has tall trees and a faint bridge, all painted in soft blues and grays. The artist used watercolor and ink to create light, airy details, especially in the trees and sky. The people look like they’re enjoying a leisurely day, but the seesaw adds a playful twist. Next, look up technique: watercolor, glazing to see how artists build light effects like this.