1546
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
January and February is a 1546 ink by Sebald Beham, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows four men in heavy winter clothes. Two on the left walk away, their backs turned, carrying long sticks. The other two on the right seem to argue, one pointing dramatically while the other holds a sword. The ground is rough and uneven, with scraggly grass and a few scattered stones. The text at the top names the months—January and February—tying the scene to cold weather. The artist used sharp lines and shading to show fabric and movement. Check out how engraving creates such detailed textures with just ink and metal.
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
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