Lucia Harrington, Countess of Bedford
1621
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1621
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This is a black-and-white portrait of a woman with a high ruff collar and lace cuffs. Above her head float two cherubs holding a crown and a shield. The words around her—like *Beauty*, *Wisdom*, and *Pride*—are written in scrolls. Below, a poem praises her virtues. The crown and shield hint at her noble status, while the poem suggests this was meant to celebrate her character. The tiny cross-hatching lines create all the shading and texture. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
