Flora and Her Nymphs
1546
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1546
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
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.