1774
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Two Workmen at Tables (recto) is a 1774 ink by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows two men bent over long tables, drawing or writing with tools in hand. Their clothes are loose and simple, and the tables stretch across the page. The lines are rough and layered, giving the whole scene a scratchy, textured look. The artist used quick strokes to show movement and energy. The paper has a warm, yellowish tone, making the ink stand out. Next, look up cross-hatching to see how artists build shadows with lines.
Giovanni Battista (or Giambattista) Piranesi (Italian pronunciation: ; also known as simply Piranesi; 4 October 1720 – 9 November 1778) was an Italian classical archaeologist, architect, and artist, famous for his…
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