1544
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Ornament with a Couple of Tritons Blowing Horns is a 1544 ink by Sebald Beham, a Renaissance work, depicting Drinking, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows two tritons blowing long, curved horns against a textured background. Their fish tails curve in opposite directions, balancing the image. The artist used fine parallel lines to shade the scene. This technique, called cross-hatching, builds depth in a small space. It’s a trick you’ll see in later prints. Look up Beham, Sebald next to see how he turned simple lines into lively scenes.
Sebald Beham (1500–1550) was a German painter and printmaker, mainly known for his very small engravings.
See the richer artist page
