Snake and Butterfly

About this work

This print shows a snake coiled around a branch with a bright blue butterfly perched above it. The snake looks ready to strike, but the butterfly stays still. The artist made the snake’s skin look rough, while the butterfly’s wings show fine lines and dots. The artist inked the plate by hand, pressing color onto just certain parts. This is called à la poupée. It makes the print feel more like a drawing than a regular print. If this technique interests you, look up etching.