An Ancient Tree with Figures in a Landscape

Friedrich Salathé

1835

graphite

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century Landscape broad-leaved tree

About this work

You see a big old tree with people in the background, drawn in graphite on paper. The tree is the main focus, and it's interesting because it shows the artist's attention to detail. The artist likely spent a lot of time drawing the tree's branches and leaves, and this attention to detail is what makes the drawing so realistic. You can learn more about this style by looking into the technique of sfumato.