The Stone Quarry of Nanterre by Moonlight

The Stone Quarry of Nanterre by Moonlight

René Billotte

1890

oil

From the collection of Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp

About this work

This painting depicts a serene landscape under the soft glow of a full moon. In the foreground, a quarry dominates the scene, with its rugged terrain and sparse vegetation. A few trees stand tall amidst the quarry's rough edges, while a house with a brown roof sits atop a hill in the background. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a striking contrast between light and dark, drawing the viewer's eye to the moonlit quarry. The overall atmosphere is one of peacefulness, with the only hint of human presence being the house in the distance. If you're interested in exploring more works that utilize chiaroscuro, you might want to look into the technique of glazing.

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