The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Mauling Each Other
1827
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From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1827
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows two naked, hairy figures wrestling in the ocean, their faces twisted in anger. In the background, more figures stand on a rocky shore, watching. The waves are drawn with swirling lines, and the sky is dark and stormy. The artist used sharp, scratchy lines to show movement and emotion. The figures look rough and wild, not smooth or polished. If you like this style, look up engraving to see how artists create detailed images by carving into metal plates.
