The Red Bellied Woodpecker (Picus Carolinus)
1752
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1752
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This bird is perched sideways on a branch, facing left. Its feathers are mostly black and white, with a bright red patch on its head and belly. The background is plain green leaves, and the bird’s beak is sharp and pointed. The artist used fine lines to show every feather and texture. The colors are soft but precise, with careful shading on the wings and tail. Next, look up *etching* to see how artists like this made detailed prints.
