Stairs in an Italian Garden
1766
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1766
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
This drawing shows a garden with wide stone stairs winding downhill. On the left, a grand building with arched windows and columns frames the scene. Tall trees, some bare and some in bloom, line the path, while a few people walk or sit near the water below. The artist used soft shading to make the scene feel quiet and dreamy. The mix of light and shadow gives depth to the trees and stairs. Look up chiaroscuro to see how this technique works.
