Near the Mill (Pres du moulin)

Near the Mill (Pres du moulin)

Alphonse Legros

1874

ink

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a lone figure walking through a forest of tall, thin trees. The branches twist and tangle, filling most of the space. The ground is covered in grass and tangled roots, with a small stream cutting through the bottom. Light and shadow play across the scene, making the trees look almost alive. The artist used fine lines to create texture, especially in the leaves and bark. This style makes the forest feel busy and full of life. The person in the hat seems small compared to the towering trees, giving a sense of being lost in nature. If you like this style, check out *etching* to see how artists use ink and metal plates to make prints like this.

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