The Balcony
1880
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1880
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a three-story building with tall, arched windows and a small balcony on the second floor. The lines are loose and quick, like a rough draft. Shadows and light play across the walls, but the details are sketchy. The artist used a sharp tool to scratch into the paper, creating dark lines and textures. This was a common way to make prints before photography. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this made prints.
