Epileptics Walking to the Left
1642
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1642
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Epileptics Walking to the Left is a 1642 ink by Hendrik Hondius I, a Baroque work, depicting Dancing, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a group of people in a wooded area by a stream. Some are standing, others are sitting or kneeling, all looking focused or worried. In the background, two figures walk away, while others near the water seem to be moving in a strange, jerky way—almost like they’re dancing. The title says these figures are "epileptics," which was how seizures were understood at the time. The artist used sharp lines and shading to show their movements clearly. If you like this style, look up engraving to see how artists carved these detailed scenes.
