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Mission San Juan Capistrano

Henry Chapman Ford

1883

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Mission San Juan Capistrano is a 1883 ink by Henry Chapman Ford, a Impressionism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Henry Chapman Ford
When & what style?: 1883 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows an old stone church with rounded arches and a tall central tower. In front, there’s a covered walkway with smaller arches, and a river runs along the bottom. The buildings look worn, with some walls crumbling. A few people walk near the church, and birds fly in the sky. The artist used fine lines to capture light and shadows, making the scene look almost three-dimensional. The paper has a textured look, which adds to the old, weathered feel of the buildings. Look up etching to see how artists like this one create detailed prints with acid and metal plates.