Fetes venitiennes
1732
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1732
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This etching shows a lively outdoor scene with a group of people gathered around a woman in a long dress. Some are sitting on the grass, chatting or playing instruments, while others stand or dance. In the background, a reclining woman and a man in a hat watch from a distance, and a tall tree frames the scene. The artist used fine lines to capture the movement and details of the clothing and faces. This style was common in etchings, where the plate is scratched to create texture. Next, check out etching to see how artists like this made prints.