The Little Bridge [recto]

Paul Cezanne

National Gallery of Art

The image shows a drawing of intersecting tree trunks and branches. The point of view is eye level, looking at a collection of bare trees dominating the composition. In the distance, there is a suggestion of a building with a slanted roofline. The horizon line is not distinct, creating a continuous flow into the trees and building. Closest to us, at the bottom of the drawing, a small arched bridge or structure emerges. The drawing features a monochromatic color palette with varying intensities of pencil marks to convey form and shadow, giving it a raw and natural feel.