Traveler Passing Two Large Trees
1650
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1650
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This black-and-white scene shows a quiet riverside village with a few small houses and trees. A lone traveler walks past two big trees on a dirt path, while boats float on the water nearby. In the distance, more trees and ships dot the horizon, giving a sense of depth. The artist used fine lines to show texture—notice how the bark on the trees looks rough, even though it’s just ink. This was a common way to make prints before color existed. Next, check out etching to see how artists like this one carved images into metal plates.
