The Demon Printer
1878
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1878
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows a chaotic scene with two twisted figures in the foreground. One has clawed hands reaching upward while the other clutches a cross. Behind them, a shadowy room with a window reveals a smaller, calm scene of people inside. The lines are rough and dark, with swirling smoke or flames adding to the sense of movement. The artist used a technique called drypoint to create the rough, textured lines. This method lets ink sit in the grooves, making the print look almost sketchy and intense. Check out technique: drypoint to see how artists create this dramatic effect.
![Gillingham Pier, London [verso]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/641e03dd7de8217b/thumb.webp)