Old Water Mill
1807
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1807
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a small wooden mill by a river, surrounded by tangled trees and bushes. Two people stand near the water’s edge—one looks like they’re fishing or checking something in the river. The mill itself has a simple roof and a wheel half-hidden by branches. The whole scene feels quiet and a little wild, with rough lines that make the trees and water look textured. The artist used a scratchy, fast-drawing style that makes the scene feel alive but also a little rough around the edges. This kind of drawing was printed from stone, which explains the grainy look. Look up lithography to see how this technique works.