The Cow in the Swamp
1802
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1802
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This black-and-white print shows a cow standing in a swampy area. Tall reeds and wild plants surround it, some bending over the water. The cow looks calm, but the messy, tangled plants make the scene feel wild and untamed. The artist used shading to show depth, making the plants look thick and the water murky. This was a common way to create detail in prints back then. Check out the technique: etching to see how artists like this made their marks.
