Artwork
Crossing the James River
Crossing the James River is a watercolor drawing by the Impressionist artist British 19th Century. It dates from 1878 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:center left verso in graphite by unknown hand: 9 7/8 x 6 5/8; center verso in graphite by unknown hand: Crossing the James River - / Virginia /78; lower right verso in red colored pencil by unknown hand: 963 [circled]
About this work
Overview
Crossing the James River is a watercolor drawing on wove paper depicting a serene river scene.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing shows a wagon being ferried across a calm river, accompanied by horses and people, set against a backdrop of rolling hills and distant mountains, evoking a sense of everyday life in a natural setting.
Technique & Style
The watercolor's soft, blended colors and loose brushstrokes create a gentle, dreamy atmosphere, characteristic of a style popular in the late 1800s for capturing natural scenes.
Artist & collection
Artist
A short life left behind a quiet obsession with water: the churn of a mill wheel, the choppy waves off England's south coast, the light bouncing off pond lilies.
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