The Sawhorse
1750
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1750
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows a chaotic, crowded scene of crumbling ruins and strange machines. People walk along crumbling steps and platforms, while giant gears and broken columns fill the background. The lines are thick and scratchy, giving everything a rough, almost chaotic feel. The artist used shading and scratching to create deep shadows and texture. The mix of human figures and mechanical parts feels dreamlike and confusing. Look up etching to see how this technique creates such detailed, layered prints.
