Trees Beside a Pond

Louis-Antoine-Léon Riesener French

Not on view

The light, airy, and informal quality of this watercolor makes evident why Riesener’s plein-air work is often considered a precursor to Impressionism. Riesener and his first cousin, the Romantic painter Eugène Delacroix, often sketched together outdoors during excursions to the country. In this view of a grove of slim trees near the edge of a pond, the artist freely worked up his initial graphite drawing. Applying watercolor loosely and spontaneously, he completely ignored the lines of his underdrawing in certain areas.

Trees Beside a Pond, Louis-Antoine-Léon Riesener (French, Paris 1808–1878 Paris), Watercolor over graphite

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