Le Pont-au-Change, Paris, vers 1784
1855
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1855
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This black-and-white print shows a busy river with a bridge full of arches. On the left, tall buildings line the water, some with chimneys puffing smoke. A few small boats float near the shore, and people stand or sit by the riverbank. The right side has a huge wooden wall, maybe a ship or warehouse, with ropes and posts sticking out. The artist used fine lines to show every detail, like the ripples in the water and the texture of the buildings. This kind of close, careful drawing was key to the style of the time. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this made such sharp prints.
