Who painted A River Landscape?

A River Landscape was painted by Albert Dubois-Pillet in 1888.

Where can I see A River Landscape?

A River Landscape is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is A River Landscape?

A River Landscape is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of A River Landscape?

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

Artwork

A River Landscape

Albert Dubois-Pillet , 1888

A River Landscape is an ink drawing by the Impressionist artist Albert Dubois-Pillet. It dates from 1888 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:By the artist in black ink at l.r.: duBOIS-PillEt

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1888, A River Landscape is a pen-and-ink drawing by Albert Dubois-Pillet. The work presents a quiet river scene rendered entirely with dense clusters of black marks, forming a composition that balances open space with intricate detail.

Subject & Meaning

The image portrays a gently curving river set within a flat, expansive terrain. Trees line the distant bank, while a modest boat drifts near the center, its hull barely discernible beneath the water’s surface. The composition invites contemplation of solitude and the subtle movement of light across water.

Technique & Style

Dubois-Pillet employs a pointillist approach using pen rather than brush, filling the surface with innumerable tiny dots and cross-hatched strokes. The concentration of marks creates areas of deep tone that function as shadows, giving the drawing a texture that feels both meticulous and tactile, despite the absence of traditional brushwork.

History & Provenance

A career army officer, Dubois-Pillet was a pivotal figure in the French Neo‑Impressionist circle and a co‑founder of the Société des Artistes Indépendants. Though later associated with color pointillism, this monochrome work demonstrates his early exploration of the dot technique, predating his more widely known painted canvases.