The Straw Yard
1808
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1808
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows a quiet farm scene with a thatched-roof hut and a small stream. A man stands on a ladder outside the hut, while another works with a cart full of hay. Two horses and a cow graze or rest in the foreground, and a third person sits on the roof. Trees and a fence frame the scene, with soft, cloudy skies above. The artist used shading to show depth, making the hay and animals look textured. This was a common way to add detail in prints. Look up etching to see how artists like this made precise, layered lines.
