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Study of Cliffs

Johann Christian Heerdt

1835

graphite

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

Study of Cliffs is a 1835 graphite by Johann Christian Heerdt, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Johann Christian Heerdt
When & what style?: 1835 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a steep, jagged cliff face rising sharply from a flat base. The lines are rough and uneven, with patches of pale brown wash giving the rock texture a gritty look. At the bottom left, a small village clings to the slope, barely visible. The artist used quick, sketchy strokes to capture the cliffs’ raw power—no smooth shading here. The paper itself looks worn, like it’s been handled a lot. Next, check out Romanticism to see how artists like this one used nature to feel big emotions.