Maria's Woodpecker
1838
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1838
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows six woodpeckers perched on a gnarled tree branch. Each bird has bold black-and-white stripes, bright red or yellow heads, and sharp beaks. The branch curves across the page, with tiny buds and bark details making it look real. The artist used fine lines and shading to make the feathers look textured. The names of each woodpecker are written below them in small print. Want to see more like this? Check out engraving to learn how artists carved these precise lines.
