Schneckenweib (Snail Seller)
1775
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1775
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Schneckenweib (Snail Seller) is a 1775 ink by Carl Conti, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white engraving shows a woman sitting behind a small table. She wears a simple cap, apron, and a shawl draped over her shoulders. In front of her are baskets of snails, a bag of goods, and a lantern. The table is cluttered with tools like a wooden box and a shovel, and the ground looks scattered with leaves or straw. The title at the bottom calls her the "Snail Seller," which matches the baskets of snails in front of her. The artist used fine lines to create shadows and texture, making the scene look detailed despite the monochrome. Check out the technique: etching to see how artists like Conti made these sharp, precise prints.
