Death and the Woodcutter, 4th plate (La mort et le bucheron)
1888
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1888
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a woodcutter lying on the ground, his axe nearby. A shadowy figure looms over him, one hand resting on his shoulder. Trees and branches fill the background, tangled and dark. The lines are rough, almost scratchy, like the artist worked fast. The woodcutter’s face is turned up, as if surprised or in pain. The dark shape above him looks like death, but it’s not scary—just quiet and serious. The whole scene feels heavy, like a story without words. Try looking up etching to see how artists like this made prints with acid and needles.
