The Pontoon Bridges

Edwin Forbes

National Gallery of Art

The image depicts an elevated view of a winding road and river below. The horizon is at the upper third, where the road and a line of trees meet the sky. A dense forest separates the sky from the land. The scene includes soldiers and covered wagons crossing a bridge over a river. The bridge has a line of people and wagons stretching into the distance. The road turns and ascends a grassy hill with trees. The image uses fine lines to show texture and detail of the landscape, figures, and water. The color palette is limited to sepia tones, emphasizing a historical context and contrast in the scene. Close to us, the ground is textured with tree stumps and foliage.