1595
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Touch is a 1595 ink by Jan Pietersz Saenredam, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows a woman and child lying side by side, wrapped in loose, flowing fabric. The woman’s hair is curled, and she wears a pearl necklace. The child’s head rests on her chest, one hand gently touching her face. The background is simple, with soft shading around their heads. The artist used fine lines and shading to create depth, focusing on the textures of the fabric and hair. This technique makes the scene feel quiet and intimate. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this one carved detailed images into metal plates.
Jan Pieterszoon (abbr. Pietersz.) Saenredam (c. 1565 – 6 April 1607) was a Dutch Northern Mannerist painter, printmaker in engraving, and cartographer, and father of the painter of church interiors, Pieter Jansz…
See the richer artist page
