Rocks Along a Lakeshore [recto]
1852
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
Artist
John William Casilear
American, New York 1811–1893 Saratoga Springs, New York
See the richer artist page1852
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Rocks Along a Lakeshore [recto] is a 1852 graphite by John William Casilear, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows two rocky outcrops by a calm lake. The top rock is jagged, with rough edges and patches of grass clinging to its sides. Below, a fallen tree trunk lies half-submerged in the water, surrounded by smaller stones and sparse bushes. The artist focused on texture—notice how the graphite lines show the grain of the rocks and the ripples in the water. This style was common in the 1800s when artists aimed to capture nature’s raw beauty. Look up Romanticism to see how this sketch fits into a bigger artistic trend.
American, New York 1811–1893 Saratoga Springs, New York
See the richer artist page
![Bridge over Rocky Stream [top verso]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/b684ce1bc4fdefdd/thumb.webp)
