Les Vierges sages, Nul vain objet...
1639
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1639
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This engraving shows five women gathered in a dimly lit room. One holds a book with a cross on it, while another sits near a fire. The women look focused, some reading or praying, with dark clothing and serious expressions. The room has rough stone walls, a small window, and a chandelier hanging above. Notice the tiny lines crisscrossing the whole scene—this is how the artist built shadows and texture. The text around the edges is in French, adding a poetic touch to the quiet moment. Want to see how artists used lines like this? Look up cross-hatching.
