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Resting on the Fence

William Sidney Mount

1867

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century Interior

Dominant colour

Resting on the Fence is a 1867 by William Sidney Mount, a Impressionism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: William Sidney Mount
When & what style?: 1867 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

This sketch shows a man in a hat sitting on a wooden fence or bench inside a dim room. The lines are loose and quick, like a hurried note. A few scattered objects—a stool, a barrel—hint at a workshop or barn. The drawing feels unfinished, almost like a quick study. The artist might’ve been practicing how to show light and shadow in simple shapes. Next, check out William Sidney Mount to see how he turned rough sketches like this into full paintings.