River with Town
1775
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1775
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a quiet river scene with tall sailboats anchored near a small town. The water is calm, and a lone person rows a small boat in the foreground. Buildings with pointed roofs line the shore, and the sky is light and hazy. The artist used soft washes of color to keep the scene gentle and dreamy. The boats’ sails are barely filled, giving the whole picture a peaceful, almost still feeling. Look up etching to see how this delicate technique works.
