1890
ink
paperboard
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Pansies is a 1890 ink by James David Smillie, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This print shows three dark pansies with fuzzy edges, their petals blending into soft shadows. The background is a plain, light gray that makes the flowers stand out. Tiny dots and lines create the texture of the petals and leaves. The artist used a method called *aquatint*, which lets ink spread in watery patches to mimic light and shadow. This makes the flowers look almost three-dimensional. Next, check out the technique: chiaroscuro to see how light and dark work together in art.
James David Smillie was an American artist, cofounder of the American Watercolor Society and New York Etching Club. His brother was painter George Henry Smillie.
See the richer artist pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
