Naiads and Tritons
Jean-Claude-Richard, Abbé de Saint-Non
1766
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Jean-Claude-Richard, Abbé de Saint-Non
1766
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows a group of mythical figures floating on a cloudy sea. Some look like winged boys, others like half-human, half-fish creatures. They’re tangled in seaweed and shells, with one boy holding a shell like a trumpet. The background has dark, stormy clouds and a distant mountain. The artist used a mix of etching and aquatint to create the soft, watery tones. The figures look relaxed but also a little wild, like they’re caught in a dream. Want to see how this technique works? Look up etching, drypoint, aquatint.
