1781
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Pluto is a 1781 ink by Maria Catharina Prestel, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This print shows a seated man with a long beard, holding a staff in one hand and a key in the other. His muscular body is relaxed, but his face looks serious. At his feet sits a small, fierce-looking dog, curled up on a pedestal. The artist used a mix of dark and light brown tones to create depth, focusing on the man’s strong form and the dog’s sharp details. The scene looks like it’s pulled from an old story. Next, check out the technique: aquatint to see how artists use it to make smooth tones.
Maria Katharina Prestel (22 July 1747 – 16 March 1794) née Maria Katharina Höll, was an engraver and painter from Nuremberg, and active in London.
See the richer artist page
