Interior of the Minor Church (Interno della chiesa minore) [plate F]
1612
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From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1612
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This engraving shows a small church’s inside with a simple altar at the front. Above the altar, a crucifix hangs, and two small scenes—one of a birth, one of a family—are set into the walls. Down below, two men in robes stand near the altar, pointing at it like they’re explaining something. Notice the extra layer of lines on top of the engraving—it’s a trick to make the altar screen look three-dimensional. The artist used fine lines to build up shadows and shapes, almost like a sketch with extra detail. Want to see how this works up close? Look up engraving.