Top of the Hill (Le haut de la colline)
1874
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1874
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a quiet hillside scene with rolling hills, bushes, and a single tree on the right. The lines are soft and scratchy, like pencil strokes on paper. In the distance, a small village sits near the water’s edge. The artist used a technique called drypoint to create these textures—tiny grooves in the metal plate hold ink for a rough, handmade look. It feels like a quick study, not a polished finish. Next, check out etching to see how artists like this made prints with sharp tools.
