Fisherman with Pack over His Shoulder
1779
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1779
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This scene shows a lone fisherman standing on a rocky shore, his back to us, carrying a bundle on his shoulder. A small sailboat drifts nearby, its flag barely visible in the wind. The water is choppy, and the sky is thick with dark, swirling clouds. Notice how the artist uses soft shading to show light on the waves and clouds—this isn’t just a sketch, but a detailed print. The mood feels stormy, even though the water is calm. Want to learn how artists like this used ink and acid to create textures? Look up aquatint.
