The Peddler
1632
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1632
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a hunched figure carrying a heavy wooden box on his back. His clothes are loose, his hat is lopsided, and his posture looks tired. The background is full of quick, messy lines, like wind or snow swirling around him. The artist used a technique that lets ink sit in scratched lines, creating texture. This piece is from the 1600s and feels like a story about hard work. Look up etching to see how artists use acid and metal plates to make these kinds of prints.
