Canoes
1917
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1917
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Canoes is a 1917 ink by Edna Boies Hopkins, held at National Gallery of Art.
This painting shows two canoes on a bright, flat waterway. The people in them are simple shapes—big heads, blocky bodies, and bold colors. One person sits still in a dark coat, while another stands and rows with a yellow paddle. The background has a sky with clouds and a few trees, all painted in smooth, flat areas of color. The artist used a woodcut method, where the design is carved into wood and then inked. This makes the lines look clean and the colors pop in blocks. Next, check out woodcut to see how this printing technique works.
