The image shows a landscape viewed from a slightly elevated angle, as if the observer was standing on a gentle slope. The horizon is positioned low in the composition, with faint outlines of hills or distant landscape elements helping define it, mostly visible on the left side of the piece. The illustration appears to be a drawing or painting using a monochromatic brown wash, especially focusing on loose, flowing brushstrokes and gentle hatching to convey texture and form. Trees dominate the scene, with the closest ones rendered in more solid, darker tones, creating a stark contrast against the lighter distant landforms. There is a textured earth area with rocks close to us, leading into a densely wooded area. The drawing style suggests a careful balance between fluidity and detail, imparting an impressionistic quality to the scene, with a sepia-toned palette giving it an earthy, tranquil character.
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The image shows a landscape viewed from a slightly elevated angle, as if the observer was standing on a gentle slope. The horizon is positioned low in the composition, with faint outlines of hills or distant landscape elements helping define it, mostly visible on the left side of the piece. The illustration appears to be a drawing or painting using a monochromatic brown wash, especially focusing on loose, flowing brushstrokes and gentle hatching to convey texture and form. Trees dominate the scene, with the closest ones rendered in more solid, darker tones, creating a stark contrast against the lighter distant landforms. There is a textured earth area with rocks close to us, leading into a densely wooded area. The drawing style suggests a careful balance between fluidity and detail, imparting an impressionistic quality to the scene, with a sepia-toned palette giving it an earthy, tranquil character.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

At the Foot of the Hill

Alphonse Legros

Medium
pen and brown ink with brown wash on laid paper
Dimensions
overall (approximate): 32.6 x 34.7 cm (12 13/16 x 13 11/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1943.3.5532
Credit line
Rosenwald Collection
Time span
1826 to 1850
Department
CG-E

Subjects and terms

  • French
  • Landscape
  • topographical
  • landscape
Provenance

LJR (Lugt Supp.1760b)

Inscription

lower right in brown ink: A.L

NGA object ID 8456. 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.