
Read the visual description
This sketch depicts a landscape with a slightly elevated viewpoint, gently sloping downward. The horizon is high and faint, with hills and distant buildings visible. The artist used fine pencil strokes to capture details of trees, foliage, and rocky terrain. The style is subtle and detailed in a monochrome palette, emphasizing natural elements over man-made structures. The composition features varying textures, shading, and linework to convey depth and form. Closest to the viewer is rugged earth and vegetation, leading to a sheltered area with trees and wooden supports. Shadows and light are shown through line density and cross-hatching. The scene extends into the distance with a backdrop of hills, trees, and buildings.
National Gallery of Art · Drawing
A Shady Arbor in the Valley of Gragnano
Johann Adam Klein
- Date
- 1820
- Medium
- graphite on wove paper
- Dimensions
- overall: 28.2 x 41.8 cm (11 1/8 x 16 7/16 in.)
- Classification
- Drawing
- Accession number
- 2003.53.3
- Credit line
- Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
- Time span
- 1801 to 1825
- Department
- CG-E
Subjects and terms
- German
- Landscape
- Bridge
- Tree
- Building
- Writing
Provenance
(Joseph Fach, Frankfurt am Main); purchased 2003 by NGA.
Inscription
by the artist, upper right in ink: nella Valle di Gragnano Agosto 3.1820 P. 13
NGA object ID 127372. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.