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Oxen and Dump Cart

Edwin Forbes

1870

graphite

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Oxen and Dump Cart is a 1870 graphite by Edwin Forbes, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Edwin Forbes
When & what style?: 1870 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows two oxen pulling a flatbed cart loaded with rocks or bricks. The animals are drawn in a rough, scratchy line, looking strong but tired. The background is a simple wall with faint cracks, and the ground is uneven, like dirt. The artist used only black and white crayons, giving it a scratchy, almost sketchy feel. The oxen’s muscles and the cart’s details are simple but clear. Next, check out the technique: chiaroscuro to see how light and shadow create depth.