Fra Filippo Lippi, Enslaved in Algiers, Painting a Portrait of His Captor
1838
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1838
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Fra Filippo Lippi, Enslaved in Algiers, Painting a Portrait of His Captor is a 1838 ink by Pierre-Nolasque Bergeret, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white print shows a tense scene in a dim room. On the left, a shirtless man stands with his back to us, arms crossed. In the center, a man in a loose robe holds a piece of paper and a brush, painting someone. To the right, a bearded man in a turban and patterned coat watches, one hand resting on a small table. Behind them, a window lets in faint light, and a vase sits on a shelf. The painter’s pose suggests he’s working against his will, while his captor stands relaxed. The artist used fine lines to create shadows and texture, making the scene feel dramatic. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
