Baker Sounding His Horn
1648
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1648
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a man in a loose cap, leaning against a wooden ledge. He’s holding a horn to his lips, as if playing it, while his other hand rests on his chest. Behind him, a window frame and some curtains are drawn back, letting in light that hits his face. The rough lines and shading make the scene feel alive, almost like you could hear the horn’s sound. The artist used a technique that lets ink sit in grooves, creating deep blacks and fine details. Next, check out etching, drypoint, aquatint to see how this kind of printmaking works.
