Self-Portrait, Frowning
1630
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a man with curly hair and a beard, drawn in quick, dark lines. His face is turned slightly to the side, and he’s wearing a loose collar. The paper looks old, with a faint grid of lines in the background. The artist used a technique that lets ink sit in the grooves of the metal plate, creating sharp lines and texture. This was a common way to make prints before photography. Next, check out etching to see how artists like Rembrandt made these detailed prints.
