Printmaker (Le Graveur)

François Bonvin

1861

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

About this work

This print shows a dimly lit room with a lone figure hunched over a table. The person is working by candlelight, their hands gripping a tool or brush. A large piece of paper lies flat on the table, and a window with shutters lets in a faint glow. The artist focused on the quiet moment of someone at work, using shadows and light to create mood. This piece was made using a method that scratches into metal plates instead of painting. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this made prints.