The Three Graces

About this work

This engraving shows three women standing close together, all naked except for wreaths on their heads. They’re holding hands in a circle, and the middle figure leans slightly forward, her arms outstretched. The background looks like rough, swirling rock or clouds, with no clear sky or ground. Their bodies are smooth but muscular, and the lines are sharp, almost like they’re carved into the paper. The women look like they’re dancing or celebrating, but their faces are calm. The artist used tiny parallel lines to build up shadows and light—this is called cross-hatching. It gives the scene a textured, almost three-dimensional feel. Try looking up *cross-hatching* to see how artists use it to create depth.