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Rider in the Countryside

French 19th Century

1850

charcoal

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century Landscape

Dominant colour

Rider in the Countryside is a 1850 charcoal by French 19th Century, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: French 19th Century
When & what style?: 1850 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a lone rider on horseback moving through a quiet countryside. Tall trees line a winding road, their branches tangled together. The ground is rough and uneven, with patches of grass and shadows stretching long across the path. The artist used quick, loose lines to capture movement and mood. The white highlights on the horses and trees stand out against the dark brown paper, giving the scene a soft glow. Next, explore the technique: scumbling to see how artists create texture with dry brushwork.