Two Ancient Trees before a Mountain Peak
1830
watercolor
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1830
watercolor
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Two Ancient Trees before a Mountain Peak is a 1830 watercolor by Jules Dupré, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This painting shows two huge, gnarled trees standing close together in an open field. Their branches spread wide, almost touching the ground, with a small patch of sky peeking through. In the distance, faint mountains rise against a pale, hazy sky, and a few smaller trees line the horizon. The artist used soft, layered washes of color to make the trees look alive but also ancient. The brushstrokes are loose, almost sketchy, which gives the scene a dreamy, natural feel. Want to see more? Check out the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
