Christ Crucified between the Two Thieves: an Oval Plate
1641
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows three figures on a cross. The person in the center has arms spread out, while the two on the sides hang lower. The background is dark and swirly, with rough lines that make it look heavy. The figures’ faces are blurred, and their bodies are drawn with quick, uneven strokes. Notice how the artist used shading to make the scene feel dramatic. The dark lines and smudges create a sense of movement and weight, almost like the figures are struggling. Want to see more? Look up etching, drypoint, aquatint to learn how artists make prints like this.
