River Landscape with the Temptation of Christ

River Landscape with the Temptation of Christ

Augustin Hirschvogel

1545

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a river winding through a busy town. Tall buildings crowd the banks, and a bridge arches over the water. Trees line the streets, and people walk along the paths—some near the water, others climbing stairs. The scene looks crowded but orderly, with a mix of rooftops and spires. Notice how the artist used quick, sketchy lines to fill the whole page. The details are light but packed in, almost like a hurried draft. The river splits the image, making the town feel both deep and layered. Next, check out etching to see how artists like this made prints with acid and metal.

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