1551
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Four Angels Holding Back the Winds is a 1551 ink by Jean Duvet, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This print shows four winged figures standing at the four corners of the world, holding onto ropes tied to something invisible. The scene is packed with tiny, swirling clouds and tiny buildings in the distance. The figures look strong but tense, like they’re holding back a storm. Notice how the artist used lots of fine lines to build up dark and light areas—this is called cross-hatching. It makes the scene feel busy and dramatic. Want to see more like this? Try looking at engraving to see how artists use lines to create depth.
Jean Duvet (1485 – after 1562) was a French Renaissance goldsmith and engraver, now best known for his engravings.
See the richer artist pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
