A Waterfall by Moonlight

Kobell employs fine pen lines and cross‑hatching to delineate the rock faces and foliage, while a subtle ink wash builds atmospheric depth and tonal variation. The texture of the laid paper contributes to the sense of surface and enhances the interplay of light and shadow.

Created in the late eighteenth century, the drawing reflects the period’s interest in Romantic landscape motifs. It remains attributed to Kobell, a Swedish‑German artist known for his detailed studies of natural scenery, and is documented in collections of 18th‑century drawings.

The work aligns with contemporary European fascination with the sublime in nature, particularly the dramatic effects of water and night. It exemplifies the era’s shift toward intimate, observational depictions of wilderness rather than idealized classical landscapes.