Woodcutters, 3rd plate (Les bucherons)
1874
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1874
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This etching shows two men struggling to carry a huge log through a thick forest. Their faces are tense, muscles straining as they lift. The trees loom close, their branches twisting around them like dark fingers. Notice how the artist used sharp lines to show the weight of the wood and the exhaustion in their bodies. The rough texture of the trees contrasts with the smooth skin of the men. Want to see more work like this? Check out etching to learn how artists create depth with just ink and metal.
