James Shirley

James Shirley

William Marshall

1623

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This is a black-and-white engraving of a serious-looking man in a dark collar, framed by swirling leaves and vines. His hands rest on his chest, and his face is set in deep lines. Around him, tiny figures peek from the foliage—some holding musical instruments, others just watching. The artist used fine lines and shading to create depth, making the leaves look almost real. The Latin text at the bottom is part of a poem praising the man’s work. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this made detailed prints.

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