The Great Flood
1765
graphite
vellum
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1765
graphite
vellum
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The Great Flood is a 1765 graphite by Charles Eisen, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows a chaotic scene of people and animals scrambling during a flood. The water rises fast, swallowing boats and buildings. Figures cling to rocks or drift helplessly, their faces twisted with fear or exhaustion. Dark clouds loom above, while the sky glows faintly in the distance. Notice how the artist used only black and white to show deep shadows and dramatic light. The rough, sketchy lines make the chaos feel raw and urgent. Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how this technique works in other art.
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