Artwork
Rocky Landscape

Rocky Landscape is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist Seth Wells Cheney. It dates from 1838 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Rocky Landscape is a graphite drawing on wove paper created by Seth Wells Cheney around 1838. The work presents a hilly, rocky terrain with a small building and a solitary figure.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a rugged natural landscape, contrasted with a tiny, inconspicuous building and a figure reclined on the ground, potentially exploring the relationship between nature and human presence.
Technique & Style
Characterized by loose, rapid graphite lines, the sketch conveys a sense of spontaneity. The monochromatic palette and visible smudges, along with faint pencil marks, enhance the piece's sketchy, unfinished appearance.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1838, the drawing's provenance is not detailed here, though it is attributed to Seth Wells Cheney. The worn condition of the paper suggests handling over time.
Artist & collection


![Self-Portrait [recto], by Seth Wells Cheney](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/seth-wells-cheney--self-portrait-recto--f24f5e103b321eb5-w320.webp)
![Young Woman, Florence [recto], by Seth Wells Cheney](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/seth-wells-cheney--young-woman-florence-recto--05fb201b0cc35006-w320.webp)



![Two Women [recto], by Seth Wells Cheney](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/seth-wells-cheney--two-women-recto--7bf98ab7c247bdd5-w320.webp)











