Triumphal Arch for Henry II
1725
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1725
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This is a busy black-and-white print of a fake triumphal arch. It looks like stone, packed with carvings, statues, and swirling decorations. At the top, a crowned figure sits in a cloud, surrounded by angels and scrolls. Below, smaller scenes show people and ships. The whole thing is framed like a stage set, with columns and arches. The tiny print text names a king—Henry II—and mentions "Seculum III," which likely means the 18th century. This was made as a fancy design, not a real building. Want to see more like this? Check out etching to learn how artists carve images into metal.