Illustration to Jean Desmarets' "L'Ariane"
1639
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1639
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This black-and-white print shows a group of people gathered around a woman kneeling on steps. One man holds a palm branch, another a flag, and a child reaches toward the woman. Behind them, a temple-like building with columns stands under a cloudy sky. The woman’s pose and the mix of adults and children suggest a story about sacrifice or farewell. The artist used lines to create texture in clothing and architecture, making everything look carved from stone. Next, look up etching to see how this technique works.
