Railroad on the Dalles of the St. Louis
1882
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1882
chalk
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
The painting depicts a serene landscape with a railroad track running along the edge of a river, surrounded by trees and foliage. The artist's use of graphite and white highlights on light green paper creates a sense of depth and texture. In the foreground, the railroad track stretches out, with a few trees and bushes scattered along its edge. The river flows gently in the background, its surface reflecting the light of the sky above. The overall effect is one of tranquility and peacefulness. The painting's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and depth, adds to its sense of realism and immediacy. The artist's attention to detail and ability to capture the play of light on the water and foliage make this painting a compelling and engaging work. Check out more works by Alfred R. Waud.