Donkey at a Watering Place (L'Ane a l'abreuvoir)
1850
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From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1850
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a lone person leading a donkey through a quiet, wooded area. Tall trees with thin trunks line the path, their branches bare or lightly filled. The ground looks damp, with puddles and patches of grass. The person and donkey are small in the scene, walking toward a cluster of trees. The artist used a soft, smudged style that makes the whole image feel gentle and natural. The trees and shadows blend together, giving the scene a dreamy look. Try looking up aquatint next to see how this technique works.
