A Roman Ruin
1788
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1788
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This ink drawing shows a crumbling Roman arch with vines around its edges. The light hits the stones just right, making the ruin look old but still standing. You can feel the age in the cracks and worn edges. It’s done on paper with black chalk underneath, then colored with ink and wash. The artist used cross-hatching to show shadows and texture. That technique makes the stone look real. Look up this artist’s name to see more of his drawings.
