The Virgin Seated under a Tree

About this work

A woman sits under a bare tree, holding a small child on her lap. She’s dressed simply, with one arm resting around the child. The tree’s twisted branches stretch across the top of the image, and rocks and grass fill the background. The scene looks peaceful but also a little rough, like a quiet moment caught in nature. This is an engraving, which means the artist carved lines into a metal plate to create the image. The dark lines and shading give it a detailed, almost sculpted look. Next, check out engraving to see how artists like this made prints before photography.