The Portico, British Museum

About this work

This sketch shows a crumbling stone portico with two thick columns. A lone figure stands in the shadows beneath an archway, looking out at a distant view of buildings and trees. The ground is uneven, with cracks and roots breaking through the pavement. The artist used lines to show wear and texture, making the scene feel old and worn. This is a print, not a painting, which means it was made by scratching into metal plates. Check out the technique: etching to see how artists like this make prints.