A Ruined Abbey by a Waterfall
1800
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1800
gouache
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This painting shows a tall, crumbling stone ruin standing by a waterfall. Three small figures walk on a winding path near the base, looking up at the ruins. Trees and hills fill the background, and the sky is soft with light clouds. The artist used thin layers of paint to create the misty, dreamy look—this is called *glazing*. It makes the colors glow, especially on the wet rocks. Next, look up technique: watercolor, glazing to see how artists build light this way.
