The Ascension of Christ
1654
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1654
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This print shows a bearded man rising upward with arms outstretched, wrapped in a flowing cloth. Around him, angels with wings hover, some holding scrolls with Latin words. Birds fly above, and clouds swirl beneath his feet. The artist used fine lines to create light and shadow, making the scene feel dramatic. This is an engraving, not a painting—notice the precise, detailed marks. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this made prints.