The Mantle
1868
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1868
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a woman in a long, flowing dress with a draped cape over her shoulders. Her hat has a wide brim, and she stands sideways, one hand resting near her chest. The lines are loose and quick, giving the whole image a sketchy, almost dancing feel. The artist used a technique that lets ink sit in the grooves of the metal plate, creating a grainy texture. This isn’t a polished painting—it’s more like a quick, expressive drawing pressed onto paper. Next, check out etching to see how artists like this use ink and metal plates to make prints.