Seilerjung (Young Rope Seller)
1775
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1775
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Seilerjung (Young Rope Seller) is a 1775 ink by Carl Conti, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a boy standing outside, leaning against a rough wall. He’s wrapped in a thick, striped blanket and wears a floppy hat. One hand holds a rope, and he’s smiling at the viewer. The ground is uneven, with a few scattered rocks. The title below calls him a "Seilerjung," which means "young rope seller." His clothes look worn but cozy, and the artist used shading to show texture in his blanket and the wall. Next, check out the technique: etching to see how artists like Conti made detailed prints.
