Old Man by a River

Old Man by a River

Elihu Vedder

1863

gouache

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

About this work

This small painting shows an older man leaning on a wooden railing by a quiet river. Behind him, a simple house with a red roof sits next to a stone wall, while trees line the water’s edge. The sky is soft with light blue and pink brushstrokes, and the water looks calm. The artist used quick, loose strokes to capture the scene, focusing on everyday life. The light brown paper and watery colors give it a gentle, sketchy feel. Look up watercolor to see how artists use thin layers of paint to create light and shadow.

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