# Bas Relief

**Edward L. Loper** (American, 1916–2011)  
c. 1938  
watercolor and graphite on paper  
overall: 23 x 30.6 cm (9 1/16 x 12 1/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 48" long; 24" high

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1943.8.14896. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.26987.html).

## About this work

Edward L. Loper painted this in about 1938, aged 22. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

This image shows an engraved design featuring a cannon with large wheels next to an eagle perched on top, situated on the left side of a rectangular stone slab. The color scheme is predominantly grayscale with subtle hints of blue and gray tones throughout the stone surface. The cannon is positioned slightly to the left in the composition, with its barrel pointing to the right, while the eagle is perched on the cannon barrel facing forward, wings tucked close to its body. To accompany the cannon, a stack of cannonballs is carved on the lower left, further anchoring the scene within the carved rectangle.

_Description from the National Gallery of Art._

### How it was made

- **Watercolour.** Pigment in gum arabic, thinned with water and laid in transparent washes. Nothing white is painted: the light is the paper showing through.
- **Graphite.** Pencil. Graphite has been used for drawing since the 1500s; in 1795 Nicolas-Jacques Conté mixed it with clay, so its hardness could be graded.

### [Edward L. Loper](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/edward-l-loper)

American, 1916–2011

## Facts

- Type: Drawing
- The artist was 22
- Real size: about 9 × 12 in (23 × 31 cm). Closest to life size: the 11 × 14 in print.
- Century: 20th century
- Movement: [American folk and design](https://www.ochreeditions.com/movements/american-folk-design)
- Colour: white
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1441.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1441/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86; 24 × 36 in $108
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208; 24 × 36 in $258
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118; 20 × 30 in $148
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5; 24 × 36 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/bas-relief-nga-26987).