Artwork
Wooded Landscape

Wooded Landscape is a graphite drawing by the Baroque artist Anthony Devis. It dates from 1773 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1773, *Wooded Landscape* is a drawing by English artist Anthony Devis. Executed with pen and gray ink, a gray wash, and graphite on wove paper, the work records a tranquil forest scene rendered in a light, sketch‑like manner.
Subject & Meaning
The composition presents a densely wooded area where slender trunks and tangled branches intersect in varied directions. Leaves are suggested with swift, delicate strokes, giving the impression of a fleeting observation of nature rather than a finished, detailed study.
Technique & Style
Devis employed a combination of pen work, graphite underdrawing, and a subtle gray wash to achieve a soft tonal range. The loose hatching and minimal shading emphasize atmosphere over precise form, reflecting a spontaneous approach typical of his landscape sketches.
History & Provenance
Born in Preston in 1729, Devis was the half‑brother of portraitist Arthur Devis and spent most of his career working in London. Though primarily known for watercolors and oils, this ink and wash drawing illustrates his occasional use of drawing media to capture immediate impressions of the countryside.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Anthony Devis (18 March 1729 – 26 April 1816) was an English landscape painter, working especially in watercolor and oils and active in London.


















