The Hospital
1642
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1642
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This busy street scene shows a crowd of people in old-fashioned clothes. Some are walking, others are sitting or lying on the ground. A large building with columns stands in the background, and smaller houses line the street. A fountain is in the center, with a few people gathered around it. The text below the image is in French and describes chaos—some people are injured, others are rushing away. The mix of activity and drama fits the time period. Next, check out the technique: etching to see how artists like this made detailed prints.