Artwork
Sun and Rain in the Serpentara near Olevano

Sun and Rain in the Serpentara near Olevano is an ink drawing by the Impressionist artist Carl Wilhelm Müller. It dates from 1866 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:signed with monogram at lower left in dark brown ink: CWM; above that, dated and located in gray-black ink: Olevano, 8 October 66.; below that in brown ink: Sehr schön wirkte, als auf dem unteren Wege ein Schäfer seine Herde heim trieb.; at lower left under an illegible line of text that has been partially obliterated: Es donnerte u. von Zeit z. Zeit gingen Regenschauer über die Ferne.; continued slightly to the right: Wolkenschatten in der Ferne sehr tiefblau, am schönsten wirkte d. Ganze wenn nur wenig Sonnenlichter einfielen, selbst in der Baumgruppe wirkten einige Wolkenschatten gut für das Ganze. (It was delightful to see a shepherd driving his flock homeward along the path below me. There was thunder, and now and again rain showers would sweep across in the distance. The shadows of clouds in the distance a very deep blue, the whole seemed most beautiful when there were only a few patches of sunlight, even a few cloud shadows in the cluster of trees seem to improve the whole view.); along lower right edge in graphite: No 26. [illeg.]
About this work
The colors are mostly muted browns and grays, but a few patches of green and blue peek through in the distance.
This sketch shows a rolling, rocky hillside with dry grass and scattered trees. The colors are mostly muted browns and grays, but a few patches of green and blue peek through in the distance. A winding path cuts through the scene, leading toward distant mountains under a pale sky.
The artist signed it in the corner with a date: October 3, 1866. The handwriting looks hurried, almost like a quick note.
Next, check out watercolor to see how artists layer colors like this.
Overview
Sun and Rain in the Serpentara near Olevano is a drawing created by Carl Wilhelm Müller in 1866. It is executed in pen and brown and gray ink with watercolor over graphite on wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a rocky hillside with dry grass and scattered trees, featuring a winding path that leads to distant mountains under a pale sky. The muted color palette, dominated by browns and grays, is punctuated by patches of green and blue in the distance.
Technique & Style
The artist employed a layered approach, combining graphite, pen and ink, and watercolor to achieve the desired effect. The handwriting in the corner, including the date October 3, 1866, appears hurried, suggesting a spontaneous or observational quality to the work.
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