1551
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Babylon Harlot is a 1551 ink by Jean Duvet, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image is a busy black-and-white print packed with tiny figures and strange shapes. In the center, a woman sits on a beast while holding a cup. Around her, people and animals swirl in chaos. At the top, a winged figure looks down. The bottom shows a city with ships and towers. The print uses lots of fine lines to build up dark and light areas—no paint, just ink. This was a common way to make detailed images before photography. Try looking up engraving to see how artists carved these lines into metal.
Jean Duvet (1485 – after 1562) was a French Renaissance goldsmith and engraver, now best known for his engravings.
See the richer artist page
