Reclining Female Nude
1878
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1878
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a woman lying down on a rough surface, her body turned slightly toward us. Her hair is drawn in quick, tangled lines, and her arms rest above her head. Around her are scraggly branches and sparse grass, all drawn with loose, scratchy marks. The artist used a technique that lets ink sit on top of the plate, creating a grainy texture. This makes the lines look uneven, like quick sketches. Check out etching to see how artists use acid to make these kinds of prints.
