Who painted A Rustic Gate beside a Lake?

A Rustic Gate beside a Lake was painted by Salomon Gessner in 1764.

Where can I see A Rustic Gate beside a Lake?

A Rustic Gate beside a Lake is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is A Rustic Gate beside a Lake?

A Rustic Gate beside a Lake is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

A Rustic Gate beside a Lake

Salomon Gessner , 1764

A Rustic Gate beside a Lake is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Salomon Gessner. It dates from 1764 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Salomon Gessner’s 1764 etching titled *A Rustic Gate beside a Lake* presents a tranquil countryside scene rendered in black ink on laid paper. The composition centers on a modest wooden gate set within a stone wall, beyond which a narrow path opens onto a placid lake dotted with distant boats. Flanking trees with robust trunks and a thatched‑roofed hut complete the pastoral tableau.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts an idyllic rural passage, inviting the viewer to imagine a quiet journey from the gate toward the water’s edge. The inclusion of the lake, boats, and humble dwelling suggests a harmonious relationship between human habitation and nature, reflecting the 18th‑century Enlightenment fascination with serene, unspoiled landscapes as sites of contemplation.

Technique & Style

Gessner employed the etching process, drawing fine, intersecting lines that generate deep shadows and a tactile sense of volume.

Gessner employed the etching process, drawing fine, intersecting lines that generate deep shadows and a tactile sense of volume. The delicate cross‑hatching on the stone wall and the bark of the trees creates a three‑dimensional illusion, while broader washes suggest atmospheric depth in the distant lake. The overall effect balances precise detail with a softened, atmospheric mood typical of late‑Baroque printmaking.

History & Provenance

Created in 1764, the work belongs to Gessner’s early print output, a period when he was exploring landscape subjects alongside his literary pursuits. While specific ownership records are scarce, the etching has appeared in several 19th‑century catalogues of Swiss prints and is now held in a number of European museum collections dedicated to graphic arts.