A Sibyl Reading

About this work

This print shows a woman sitting and reading a book while holding a child. Behind her, two figures stand on a pedestal, half-hidden in shadow. The lines are sharp and dark, with some areas left lighter to show folds in clothing and drapery. The artist used two woodblocks—one for lines, one for shading—to create depth. This method was common in the 1700s for dramatic effect. Look up woodcut to see how artists carved and inked blocks to make prints like this.