The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Mauling Each Other
1827
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1827
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows two round, winged figures wrestling in the water, their faces twisted in anger. Behind them, a rocky cliff rises, with two small figures standing at the top. On the right side, a group of people with wings float above the ground, some holding tools or objects. The lines are rough and scratchy, giving everything a chaotic, uneven look. The artist used a lot of cross-hatching—tiny parallel lines—to create shadows and texture, especially in the water and the figures’ skin. The scene feels wild and messy, like something out of a dream. Check out engraving to see how artists like Blake made detailed prints with just lines and shading.
