Who painted Tull on the River Waal?

Tull on the River Waal was painted by Nicolaas Wicart in 1782.

Where can I see Tull on the River Waal?

Tull on the River Waal is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Tull on the River Waal?

Tull on the River Waal is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Tull on the River Waal?

Museum-quality prints of Tull on the River Waal are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Tull on the River Waal

Nicolaas Wicart , 1782

Tull on the River Waal is a chalk drawing by the Baroque artist Nicolaas Wicart. It dates from 1782 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower left in pen and black ink: N. Wicart ad Vivum; lower left verso in pen and black ink: 4 Dorp truyle aan de Waaten (Town of Tull on the Waal)

About this work

Overview

Nicolaas Wicart’s 1782 drawing, titled Tull on the River Waal, depicts a tranquil riverside scene rendered in gray wash over black chalk on laid paper. The composition balances a central sailing vessel with smaller rowboats, set against a modest shoreline that includes a church spire, simple dwellings, and scattered trees, all under a softly clouded sky.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures everyday river traffic along the Waal, emphasizing the calm rhythm of commerce and travel in the late eighteenth century. By placing the larger sailboat amid modest rowboats, Wicart suggests a hierarchy of vessels while also highlighting the communal nature of riverine life, with figures engaged in routine passage along the water’s edge.

Technique & Style

Wicart combines black chalk outlines with a delicate gray wash, producing a subdued tonal range that softens the scene without sacrificing detail. The subtle gradations of light and shadow evoke a quiet atmosphere, while the restrained use of color aligns the piece with the chiaroscuro tradition, where contrast defines form rather than vivid hue.

History & Provenance

Created in 1782, the drawing reflects Wicart’s interest in topographical subjects during a period of growing Dutch interest in documenting local landscapes. The piece has remained in the museum’s collection since its acquisition in the early twentieth century, where it serves as a representative example of late‑Baroque Dutch riverine sketches.