Tivoli and the Temple of the Sibyl Above the Aniene Gorge
1824
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1824
graphite
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows a rocky cliff with a waterfall pouring into a narrow gorge below. Trees cling to the steep sides, and a few buildings sit on a flat area above. Far off, a temple’s columns peek over the edge of the hill. The artist used soft washes of gray to show light hitting the rocks and water. The loose lines make the scene feel quick, like a sketch made on the spot. Next, look up Romanticism to see how artists used nature to express big emotions.
