The Circle of the Thieves; Buoso Donati Attacked by the Serpent
1827
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From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1827
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This engraving shows four figures in a stormy, rocky scene. On the left, two robed people stand with clasped hands, facing a shirtless man with a calm expression. To the right, another shirtless man wrestles with a giant snake that coils around his legs. The sky is wild with swirling lines, and the ground looks rough and uneven. The snake’s tail curls into a shape that almost looks like a person sitting. The artist used sharp lines to show tension and movement, especially in the snake’s body and the stormy sky. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like Blake carved these detailed lines into metal.
