Artwork
Arcadian Landscape
Arcadian Landscape is a watercolor drawing by the Romanticist artist Giovanni David. It dates from 1775 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Arcadian Landscape is a drawing by Giovanni David, created around 1775. It is a mixed-media work on laid paper, held at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a serene scene with a woman standing beside a donkey-drawn cart, while a man tends to a cow in the background. The setting, featuring trees, broken columns, and scattered sheep, blends everyday rural life with ancient ruins, a recurring theme in the artist's work.
Technique & Style
Executed in pen, black ink, and watercolor, the drawing is characterized by loose, expressive lines and soft, layered washes, evoking a dreamy atmosphere. The artist's use of watercolor allows for subtle gradations of tone and depth.
Artist & collection
Adoration of the Magi
Le Zendale (Woman in a Hood, or the Woman Returning from Church)
Le Perruquier fatigué (The Tired Wigmaker)
Gaspar Gribolari Brocanteur à Padoüe (Gaspar Gribolari, Secondhand Dealer in Padua)
La Servante (The Servant)
Le Masque au caffé (The Masked Man Taking Coffee)
Le Paveur (The Road Paver)
Democritus
