A View from an East Window in the Old Sugar House, No.3 Norris' Alley, Philadelphia
1811
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From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1811
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a tight alley packed with old brick buildings. The walls are rough, some with soot stains, and the rooftops are uneven. A small wooden fence runs along the bottom, and a few trees peek in on the right. The colors are muted—pinks, browns, and grays—with a pale sky above. Notice how the artist used thin, layered washes of color to build up the scene. It’s not just outlines but soft, blended tones that make the buildings look real. Next, look up technique: watercolor, glazing to see how artists build depth this way.
