Balaklava
1857
gouache
canvas
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1857
gouache
canvas
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Balaklava is a 1857 gouache by Carlo Bossoli, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This painting shows a rugged mountain with a castle perched on top. Below, a rocky path winds through sharp cliffs, and a few tiny figures climb or rest along it. The sky is soft and golden, while the land shifts from deep red rocks to green patches of grass. Far off, the sea glints under a hazy horizon. The artist used thin, see-through layers of color to build up light and shadow—almost like stacking glass. This makes the scene look both real and dreamy at once. Next, check out technique: glazing to see how painters create depth with watercolor.
