Exempel und Lehr Jetziger Welt Lauf
1622
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1622
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Exempel und Lehr Jetziger Welt Lauf is a 1622 ink by Andreas Bretschneider III, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows two figures slumped together in a dark, cluttered space. One wears a fancy hat and ruffled collar, the other a crown. Their faces look tired, almost sad, and they’re surrounded by scattered objects—a bag, a book, and a broken column. The background feels cramped, with rough textures and sharp lines everywhere. The title *Exempel und Lehr Jetziger Welt Lauf* hints this might be a warning about life’s struggles. The artist used fine lines to show every fold in their clothes and the weight of their poses. Next, check out etching to see how artists like this carved these detailed scenes into metal.
