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Fantasy of an Antique Prison

Carl Schütz

1775

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism 18th Century

Dominant colour

Fantasy of an Antique Prison is a 1775 ink by Carl Schütz, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Carl Schütz
When & what style?: 1775 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This etching shows a dark, crumbling prison with high walls and small barred windows. Moisture stains the stone, and weak light barely cuts through. A ghostly figure glides along a shadowy hallway. It’s one of the few prints Carl Schütz made—most of his work was lost. The mood is eerie, almost like a stage set for a ghost story. Look up etching to see how sharp lines and acid bites create this spooky scene.