The Last Judgment [right]
1455
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1455
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This black-and-white picture shows a busy scene with three big figures and some smaller ones. The tallest figure stands in the middle, holding a cross and a flower. Two people kneel on either side, looking up at them. Below, a few smaller figures are climbing or falling near a gate. The artist used lines to build up shadows and shapes—this is called cross-hatching. It’s a way to add depth without color. Want to see how this style works? Look up cross-hatching.