1747
graphite
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
A Waterfall near a Hilltown in Italy is a 1747 graphite by Joseph-Marie Vien, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This drawing shows a quiet hillside with a waterfall tumbling down a rocky slope. A few small houses with sloped roofs sit near the top, half-hidden by trees. The artist used loose, sketchy lines to show the texture of leaves, rocks, and rushing water—nothing is perfectly smooth. The paper has a visible grid of laid lines, meaning it was likely made by hand. This suggests the artist was working quickly, maybe even outdoors. Look up Baroque next to see how this style’s drama fits into grander landscapes.
Joseph-Marie Vien (18 June 1716 – 27 March 1809) was a French painter. He was the last holder of the post of Premier peintre du Roi, serving from 1789 to 1791, before it was abolished during the French Revolution.
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