Europe
1575
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1575
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Europe is a 1575 ink by Etienne Delaune, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white print shows a woman lying on a rocky shore, surrounded by animals—a bull, a lion, and a bird nearby. She wears a crown of leaves and holds a scepter, while waves lap at her feet. The scene looks peaceful but a little strange, like a story without words. The word "EUROPE" is written below, and the date "1575" is stamped in the corner. This isn’t a photo—it’s an *engraving*, where lines are carved into metal and inked to make the print. The artist used tiny parallel lines to create shadows and texture. If you like this style, look up engraving to see how artists built whole worlds with just ink and metal.
