Cebren (The River God)
1564
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1564
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows a bearded man with wavy hair and a beard, lounging on a wave. Behind him, a small town sits on a hill, with a sun shining down. The edges are packed with swirls, shells, and strange shapes that look like they’re floating. The man’s relaxed pose and the town in the background suggest he’s a river god. The artist used lines to build up shadows and textures, making everything look carved into the page. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this made detailed prints.