Artwork

The Waterfalls at Tivoli (recto)

The Waterfalls at Tivoli (recto), by Joachim Franz Beich, ink, 1709
The Waterfalls at Tivoli (recto), by Joachim Franz Beich, ink, 1709

The Waterfalls at Tivoli (recto) is an ink drawing by the Baroque artist Joachim Franz Beich. It dates from 1709 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The Waterfalls at Tivoli (recto) is a drawing by Joachim Franz Beich, executed in 1709, utilizing a combination of pen and black ink, gray wash, watercolor, and white gouache on blue laid paper.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a rugged landscape featuring rocky cliffs, cascading water in jagged streams, and a serene background with a hill, sparse trees, a distant building, and a pale sky. The emphasis is on capturing the dynamic energy of the waterfall.

Technique & Style

Beich employed quick, sketchy lines and expressive brushwork to convey the movement and turbulence of the water, achieving a sense of dynamism. The predominantly gray and brown palette is accented with white highlights to suggest the play of light on the water.

History & Provenance

Created in 1709, the drawing's provenance is not detailed here, focusing instead on its creation date and artistic attributes.

Context

This work aligns with aspects of the Baroque movement, characterized by its emphasis on movement and dramatic lighting, though executed in a more subdued, sketchy manner. The rough, expressive style reflects the period's focus on capturing dynamic natural phenomena.

Legacy

The Waterfalls at Tivoli (recto) demonstrates Beich's ability to evoke natural energy through concise, expressive drawing techniques, contributing to the broader tradition of Baroque landscape art.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.