Alpine Landscape
1556
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1556
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This drawing shows a jagged mountain range with steep cliffs and a winding valley below. Tiny buildings dot the hillsides, and a river cuts through the scene. The sky is filled with fluffy clouds, and birds fly near the peaks. The artist used fine lines to show texture—every rock and tree branch is detailed. This technique is called etching, where metal plates are scratched to create the image. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this made prints before photography.
