The Hurdy-Gurdy Player

About this work

This drawing shows a man in old-fashioned clothes, holding a small hurdy-gurdy under his arm. His hat sits low on his head, and his coat is draped loosely over one shoulder. The lines are sharp and dark, making his wrinkled face and rough fabric stand out clearly. The artist used a technique that lets ink sit in the grooves of the metal plate, creating this bold black-and-white look. The details in the coat’s folds and the instrument’s shape show how carefully the lines were made. Check out how this was done with technique: etching.