Two Apprentices Fighting

About this work

This black-and-white print shows two young men wrestling on the floor of a dim workshop. One is on his back, grabbing the other’s hair, while the second kicks wildly. Around them, tools lie scattered—hammers, a bucket, a half-eaten plate of food—next to a small fire in the corner. Tall columns and arched windows frame the scene, making the room feel like a stage. The messy fight looks more like a joke than real violence. Notice how the artist used tiny parallel lines to build up shadows and shapes—this is called cross-hatching. Want to see more work like this? Check out engraving to learn how artists create detailed prints like this one.