A Meadow with a Shepherd and Goats at the Edge of a Forest

Carl Wagner

1861

chalk

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Landscape

About this work

This sketch shows a quiet forest edge with tall trees and a small stream cutting through. The ground is patchy with snow or frost near the water. A few thin lines hint at a shepherd and goats near the trees. The whole scene is drawn in brown ink with quick, sketchy strokes. The artist used two joined paper sheets to make the drawing bigger. The loose lines and soft shading give it a natural, unfinished look. Look up cross-hatching next to see how artists build shadows with lines.