Moonlight on a River
1896
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From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1896
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This scene shows a quiet riverbank at night. A bright moon lights up the water, casting shadows on the shore. People stand near the edge, some sitting on logs, while old stone walls and a bridge stretch into the distance. The artist used only black tones to create depth, letting the light play off the dark shapes. This trick makes the moon glow even brighter against the night. Look up chiaroscuro next to see how this lighting effect works.
