Italian Peasant Woman
1764
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1764
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a woman in a long, loose dress and a headscarf. She stands with her hands near her chest, looking down slightly. Behind her is a table with a basket and what looks like a bowl or pan. The drawing is rough and sketchy, with quick, uneven lines. The artist focused on everyday life, not fancy scenes. This style was common in etchings, where artists could make many copies of their work. Look up etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints with acid and metal plates.