Firs in the Defile
1650
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1650
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This image shows a dark, tangled forest on a rocky hillside. Trees crowd the scene, their branches thick and gnarled, while a small church or tower peeks out above the treeline. The sky is faint, with wispy clouds and a few birds flying low. The artist used fine lines to create texture, making the trees look rough and the rocks jagged. This is done through a technique called drypoint, where sharp tools scratch into the plate. Check out etching, drypoint to see how artists create these detailed prints.
