The Anchorite

Mariano Fortuny Marsal

1869

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

About this work

This print shows a dark, rocky cave with a lone figure kneeling inside, head bowed. Outside, a twisted tree stands on a patch of grass, its roots exposed. Nearby, a dead fish lies on the ground, and a small bird pecks at it. The artist used shading to make the cave feel deep and shadowy, while the tree’s gnarled branches contrast with the flat ground. This was made as a print, not a painting, which lets you see the fine lines and textures up close. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this create detailed prints.