The Upset Basket

The Upset Basket

Buisson, C.-A.-L.

1740

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This engraving shows a woman in a flowing dress reaching for a basket that’s tipped over. Next to her, a child points at a butterfly hovering near a large vase. The ground has scattered fruit, and a table holds flowers and more baskets. In the background, a statue watches over a garden scene. The artist used fine lines to create shadows and textures, like the folds in the woman’s dress. This style is typical of engravings, where precision matters more than brushstrokes. Next, check out engraving to see how artists like Buisson made detailed prints.

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