Ornamental Frieze with Leopard
1648
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1648
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This image shows a black-and-white drawing of a wild leopard crouched in the center, surrounded by swirling, leafy vines and flowers. The leopard’s fur is marked with sharp, detailed spots, and its tail curls around its body. The background is packed with ornate scrollwork and tiny leaves, making the animal look like it’s part of a decorative border. The artist used fine lines to create texture, especially in the leopard’s fur and the vines. This kind of detailed linework was common in etchings from that time. Next, check out etching to see how artists like this made such precise prints.
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