1874
ink
paperboard
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Clap of Thunder [recto] is a 1874 ink by Alphonse Legros, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a stormy forest scene with thick trees and swirling clouds. The sky is dark, almost black, while the ground is a mix of browns and grays. In the lower right, a person sits on the ground, looking small and still. Nearby, a large animal—maybe a cow—stands with its head down, as if hiding from the weather. The artist used quick, sketchy lines to show movement in the trees and sky. The ink looks wet, blending into soft washes of color. This style makes the scene feel wild and untamed. Next, check out the technique: cross-hatching to see how artists build texture with lines.
Alphonse Legros (French pronunciation: ; 8 May 1837 – 8 December 1911) was a French, later British, painter, etcher, sculptor, and medallist.
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