Artwork
Waterfall
Waterfall is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Kaspar Auer. It dates from 1795 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Kaspar Auer’s 1795 lithograph titled Waterfall presents a tranquil mountain valley dominated by a central cascade. The composition includes a modest wooden bridge spanning a stream, a solitary figure near a stone cross on a rocky path, and a backdrop of tall trees and distant hills that lend a mist‑laden atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures a fleeting moment of natural serenity, juxtaposing human presence—a lone traveler and a modest cross—with the enduring force of water. The quiet setting suggests contemplation of the landscape’s sublime qualities, while the figure’s placement hints at a pilgrimage or pause within the wilderness.
Technique & Style
Executed in lithography on wove paper, the print reflects the medium’s capacity for direct drawing on stone, allowing Auer to render fluid lines and soft tonal variations. A sketch‑like, smooth handling gives the scene an immediacy, as if the artist recorded a spontaneous observation of the valley.
History & Provenance
Created in the late eighteenth century, Waterfall belongs to the early period of lithographic experimentation in Central Europe. While specific ownership records are limited, the print is documented in catalogues of Auer’s oeuvre and has appeared in several collections of early German prints.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
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