Britannia Crowning History
1790
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1790
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This engraving shows a busy scene with lots of people and angels. At the center, a woman sits on a rock, holding a book and a baby. Around her, others stand or float—some with flags, others with musical instruments. The sky is full of clouds, and angels fly above, blowing horns or holding banners. Notice how the artist used tiny lines to create shadows and shapes. This makes the picture look detailed even though it’s just black and white. Want to see how this technique works? Look up engraving.
