Banks of the Marne (Bord de la Marne)
1874
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From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1874
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a quiet riverbank with tall, scraggly trees and shrubs. The water is calm, with just a few ripples near the shore. The lines are loose and quick, like the artist was working fast—some branches look almost scribbled. The paper has a light green tint, and the whole piece feels rough and textured. This style was popular in the 1800s when artists focused on nature’s wild, untamed side. Look up drypoint to see how this technique makes marks like these.
