The Sluice
1640
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1640
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Sluice is a 1640 ink by Johannes Ruisscher, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white print shows a quiet riverside scene. A thatched-roof building sits on the left, its walls made of simple wood. Nearby, a bare tree stands in front of it, its branches reaching out. In the background, a few small houses and windmills line the horizon, with a wide river cutting through the middle. The artist used fine lines to create texture, making the grass, water, and thatched roof look almost three-dimensional. The sky is just a few faint strokes—barely there, but enough to suggest open space. Next, check out how etching works to see how artists like this one made such detailed prints.
