Les divers pourtraicts et figures IX
1600
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This image shows four strong, muscular men in dramatic poses. Each one holds a weapon—swords, shields, or spears—and looks ready for battle. They’re framed by arched columns and draped with fabric, standing on rocky ground with swirling drapery around them. The lines are sharp and detailed, created by tiny etched marks. This style makes the figures look almost three-dimensional, even though it’s just ink on paper. Next, check out how engraving works to see how artists create depth with lines.
