A Rocky Landscape with a Stone Tower and a Waterfall
1678
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1678
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a rocky hillside with a small stone tower clinging to the side. A waterfall spills down the rocks in the center, and a leafless tree stands on the left. The whole scene is drawn in reddish-brown chalk, giving it a soft, earthy look. The artist used quick, sketchy lines to suggest texture—like the rough rocks and the water’s movement. This style was common in studies before finished paintings. Next, look up Baroque to see how this sketch fits into that dramatic, lively movement.
