Nicolas Poussin
1658
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1658
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This is a black-and-white portrait of a man with wavy hair and a serious expression. He’s wearing a ruffled collar and a draped garment over one shoulder. The background is simple, with a decorative border of swirls and leaves around the edges. The name "Nicolas Poussin" is written below the man’s shoulder, but this isn’t a painting—it’s an engraving. The artist used fine lines and shading to create depth and texture. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this made detailed prints.