1608
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Deathbed of a Nun is a 1608 ink by Lucas Kilian, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white engraving shows a woman lying in bed, dressed in a large ruff collar and a crown-like headpiece. Her hands are folded, and she looks calm but serious. Below her, a small lion sits on the floor, staring directly at the viewer. The artist used fine lines and shading to create depth, especially in the heavy bed curtains. This technique makes the scene feel dramatic and quiet at the same time. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like Kilian made detailed prints like this.
Lucas Kilian (Lucas Kilianus Augustanus; 1579–1637) was a German engraver and etcher from the Kilian family of engravers in Augsburg.
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