1750
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Two Lovers (Les Deux amants) is a 1750 ink by Gabriel de Saint-Aubin, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows two figures tangled in each other’s arms, half-hidden under a pile of swirling fabric and leaves. One person sits upright, clutching the other, who lies slumped against them. The background is a tangle of branches and vague shapes, like a dreamy forest. The whole scene is drawn in scratchy lines, with dark shadows and rough textures. The artist used a technique that lets them layer lines to build up shadows and details—like scratching into the metal plate before inking it. This makes the image feel both delicate and intense. Next, check out etching to see how artists create these layered, textured prints.
Gabriel de Saint-Aubin was a French draftsman, printmaker, etcher and painter.
See the richer artist page
