Flora and Her Nymphs

Flora and Her Nymphs

Giulio Bonasone

1546

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving shows a busy scene with lots of people in a forest. Some are standing, some are sitting, and a few are holding flowers or fruit. The figures look like they’re part of nature—trees grow around them, and vines wrap their arms. One person is kneeling, holding a basket full of plants. Notice how the artist used lots of tiny lines to create shadows and texture. This makes the scene look three-dimensional, even though it’s just ink on paper. Want to see how this technique works? Look up engraving.

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