Seascape with Three Figures to the Right
1650
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1650
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a quiet shore with three people near the water’s edge. Two sailboats sit anchored in the calm bay, while a few rocks and scattered grass mark the land. In the distance, a few trees and hills fade into a soft, hazy sky. The artist used fine lines to build up texture—notice how the waves and tree bark look almost three-dimensional. This kind of drawing was made by pressing ink into a metal plate, then scraping it out. Next, check out the technique: etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
