# Im Höllenthal (In the Höllen Valley)

**Johann Christoph Erhard** (German, 1795–1822)  
1818  
etching on laid paper  
sheet (trimmed to plate mark): 32.8 x 27.6 cm (12 15/16 x 10 7/8 in.)

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1999.32.1. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.108753.html).

## About this work

Johann Christoph Erhard made this in 1818, aged 23. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

The image shows a landscape with a wooden bridge crossing over a river in a valley. The scenery includes cliffs, trees, and flowing water below. The artwork features fine, detailed brushstrokes depicting the texture of the cliffs, foliage, and water. The color scheme is monochromatic with various shades of gray and sepia tones. Two figures are seen on the bridge, contributing to the sense of scale and activity in the serene setting.

_Description from the National Gallery of Art._

### How it was made

- **Etching.** The artist draws with a needle through a waxy coating on a copper plate, and acid bites the exposed lines. The plate is then inked, wiped and printed under pressure, so the line keeps the freedom of drawing.
- **Laid paper.** Handmade on a mould of close-set wires, which leave fine parallel lines you can see when the sheet is held to the light.

### [Johann Christoph Erhard](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/johann-christoph-erhard)

German, 1795–1822

## Facts

- Type: Print
- The artist was 23
- Real size: about 13 × 11 in (33 × 28 cm). The 11 × 14 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 19th century
- Subjects: Landscape, Bridge, Germany, Waterway
- Colour: grey
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1643.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1643/1920.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/im-hollenthal-in-the-hollen-valley-nga-108753).