Artwork preview

River Dredges and Lighters

Charles Meryon

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a sketch of a small rustic boat with a central cabin-like structure. The drawing is done from a slightly elevated point of view. The horizon is indicated by faint horizontal lines in the distance. The pencil lines are soft and delicate, showing subtle shades and textures. The overall color palette is soft and subdued, with natural shades of paper and grey tones of the pencil. Close to us, the boat's outlines are more defined, with details like the mast, planks, and additional small boats tethered around. The background is undefined, suggesting open space beyond the main subject.

Artwork Details

Date
probably c. 1850
Medium
graphite on laid paper
Dimensions
5314 × 2759 px
Public Domain
Yes
Museum Record
View original
Palette