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December

Ludovico Mattioli

1601

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Baroque Baroque

Dominant colour

December is a 1601 ink by Ludovico Mattioli, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Ludovico Mattioli
When & what style?: 1601 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This print shows a cold, quiet winter scene. A frozen river cuts through the middle, with two small figures walking along its edge. On the left, bare trees stand against a gray sky, while on the right, a cluster of buildings huddles near a hill. The ground is covered in snow, and the whole scene feels still and sharp. The word "DECEMBER" is stamped at the bottom, making it clear this is about winter’s harsh beauty. The artist used fine lines to show texture—like the rough bark of trees or the folds in the figures’ coats. Next, check out how this was made with etching.