A Stream through a Dense Forest, François-Louis Français
Watercolor and gouache with pen and ink; roughly 18×14″ (46x34cm).
Link is to zoomable version on Google Art Project; original is in the National Gallery of Art, DC, which also has a zoomable version as well as downloadable images (free registration required for largest file size).
This beautifully naturalistic forest scene is one of the recently acquired landscape watercolors highlighted in a show at the NGA in 2014.
Though your eye is intended to travel back into the depth of the painting’s bright center, I love the subtle value relationships in the darker passages.
Link: A Stream through a Dense Forest, NGA, DC
Related post:
The Color of Nature: Recent Acquisitions of Landscape Watercolors at NGA
Related post:
The Color of Nature: Recent Acquisitions of Landscape Watercolors at NGA
Fascinating to study at the nano level. I wonder if the rhythm of the lines and dots has anything to do with habits of handwriting with a pen.
Thanks again for a wonderful highlight. Extreme closeup details like this are, to me, the best of abstract art.
Thanks, James. An interesting thought. I’m sure the rhythm of the painting as a whole derives much from the use of the pen as opposed to a brush, but I hadn’t though about the effect of handwriting on drawing with a pen.
Thanks, Pat. I agree. I feel that way in particular about the surface qualities of Rembrandt’s paintings.
Such a beautiful painting. I enjoy how much texture he put into this painting. Really gives the painting some life. All the subtle details are great and I love how you added the detail photos. Very appreciated! The mediums work well together to achieve those details. Overall wonderful artwork.