Artwork
Lake in a Mountainous Landscape
Lake in a Mountainous Landscape is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist Myles Birket Foster. It dates from 1862 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Lake in a Mountainous Landscape is a graphite drawing on wove paper created by Myles Birket Foster in 1862. It is a representative work of the artist, a British illustrator, watercolourist, and engraver.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a serene lake surrounded by rugged mountains, with calm water, small boats, and trees on the hillside. A distant building with a spire is visible near the lake's edge, adding a touch of human presence to the natural scene.
Technique & Style
Foster employed loose, expressive lines to convey the play of light and shadow, eschewing detailed renderings. The mountains are reduced to soft, hazy strokes, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere.
Context
The work is associated with the landscape genre and reflects the artistic tendencies of the Victorian period, when artists often used natural scenery to evoke emotions and ideas.
Artist & collection
Artist
Myles Birket Foster (4 February 1825 – 27 March 1899) was a British illustrator, watercolourist and engraver in the Victorian period. His name is also to be found as Myles Birkett Foster.
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