Who painted Mountain Landscape?

Mountain Landscape was painted by John William Casilear in 1801.

Where can I see Mountain Landscape?

Mountain Landscape is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Mountain Landscape?

Mountain Landscape is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Mountain Landscape?

Museum-quality prints of Mountain Landscape are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Mountain Landscape

John William Casilear , 1801

Mountain Landscape is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist John William Casilear. It dates from 1801 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower right in graphite by unknown hand: D; upper left verso in graphite by unknown hand: Th6558. C-44; upper left verso in graphite by unknown hand: 18122

About this work

Overview

John William Casilear’s 1801 drawing, titled Mountain Landscape, presents a tranquil mountainous scene rendered in graphite on wove paper. The composition features a series of gentle hills, a meandering river, and scattered trees that cling to the slopes, all conveyed with a light, sketch‑like touch.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts a serene natural environment, emphasizing the quiet continuity of the landscape. The river’s winding path and the soft transition of the hills suggest a harmonious relationship between water and land, inviting contemplation of the scene’s calm permanence.

Technique & Style

Executed solely with graphite, the drawing relies on loose, rapid strokes that give the image an unfinished, study‑like quality. The artist employs gradual tonal fading to push the distant mountains into the sky, creating atmospheric depth without the use of color.

History & Provenance

Created in 1801, the piece reflects Casilear’s early practice of on‑site sketching, a method common among American landscape artists of the period. The drawing has remained in private collections before entering its current institutional holding, where it is displayed as an example of early 19th‑century American topographical drawing.