Chaerophyllum hirsistum
1856
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1856
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This image shows dried plants pressed flat on paper. The stems are thin and branch out into feathery leaves and small flower clusters. The whole scene is in earthy browns, like dried leaves or old parchment. The artist used a rare method: the plants were rolled between metal plates, then printed like a stamp. This made the lines sharp and the details precise. Next, check out the technique: cross-hatching to see how artists use lines to create texture.
