Breaking Up of the Agamemnon
1870
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1870
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This picture shows a big wooden ship being torn apart at a dock. The water is choppy, and the ship’s masts and rigging are still intact, but the hull is exposed. In the background, other ships and buildings line the shore, drawn in quick, sketchy lines. The artist used a dark brown ink to create sharp contrasts between light and shadow. The waves and ship details are etched deeply, making them stand out. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this carve into metal to make prints.
