Jacob Persuaded to Send Benjamin with His Brethren into Egypt
1762
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1762
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a group of men in old-fashioned robes, crowded together in a tense moment. One man kneels, holding a child’s hand, while another stands over him with a staff. The lines are scratchy and dark, giving it a rough, urgent feel—like the scene unfolded quickly. The artist used a technique called *stipple etching*, where tiny dots build up shadows instead of smooth brushstrokes. This made the print look almost like a sketch, not a polished painting. If you like this style, check out etching to see how artists create texture with lines and dots.
