Architectural Motif with a Bird
1690
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1690
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows a fancy stone frame with two birds perched on top, facing each other. Below them, a small rectangular panel has swirling, leaf-like designs. The frame looks heavy, with curved edges and thick lines that make it look carved from stone. The artist used shading to add depth, making the birds and details pop. This kind of print was made by scratching into metal plates—a technique called etching. Try looking up etching to see how artists create these detailed lines.
