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Landscape

Louis Gabriel Moreau the Elder

1774

gouache

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism 18th Century Landscape

Dominant colour

Landscape is a 1774 gouache by Louis Gabriel Moreau the Elder, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: Louis Gabriel Moreau the Elder
When & what style?: 1774 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This painting shows a quiet coastal scene with a weathered house and a small shed. A lone figure walks along the shore near the water’s edge, while a statue stands on a pedestal to the left. The sky is pale blue, and the trees in the background are lightly brushed in green and blue. The colors are soft, and the brushstrokes look loose and sketchy, almost like a quick study. The artist used watercolor and a technique called *glazing*—layering thin, translucent washes to build up light and depth. This gives the scene a dreamy, slightly faded look. Look up *watercolor, glazing* to see how artists create luminous effects with just paint and patience.