Le Charlemagne (forêt de fontainebleau)
1861
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1861
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows a dark, tangled forest with twisted trees and gnarled roots. A winding path cuts through the shadows, leading into the distance. Light barely filters through the thick canopy, leaving most of the scene in deep black and gray. The artist used fine lines to create texture, making the bark and leaves look rough and real. This was printed using ink on paper, a method that lets for sharp details and deep shadows. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this carve images into metal plates.
