The Little Canyon

The Little Canyon

George Elbert Burr

1925

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows two towering rock formations rising from a flat, dry ground. The jagged cliffs are drawn with thick, scratchy lines, while the sky above is filled with loose, swirling marks. Below, the land looks cracked and uneven, with a few small shapes that might be bushes or shadows. The artist used a sharp tool to carve into the metal plate, creating the rough texture you see. This method is called drypoint, where the lines hold ink and make a distinct look. Next, check out how drypoint works to see how this sketch was made.

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