The Holy Family and Two Angels
1605
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1605
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This picture shows a group of five figures in a dim, shadowy scene. A woman holds a small child, while another child kneels beside her. Two angels hover nearby—one with wings, the other holding a cross. In the background, a man plays a violin, and a dog rests on the ground. Dark lines create deep shadows, making the figures stand out. The artist used tiny, repeated lines to build up shadows and light. This is called *cross-hatching*. It’s a trick to make flat paper look three-dimensional. Want to see more? Try looking up engraving.
