The Rider in the Reeds (Le Cavalier dans les roseaux)
1871
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From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1871
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a lone rider on horseback moving through tall, wavy reeds. In the background, a lone tree stands next to a small, simple house. The lines are loose and quick, like a quick sketch rather than a finished drawing. The artist used a technique that lets you see the marks of the pencil or tool directly—no paint, just lines on paper. It feels like a snapshot of a moment, not a polished scene. Check out lithography to see how this kind of sketch was made.
