Artwork
Landscape with a Waterfall and a Resting Family
Landscape with a Waterfall and a Resting Family is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Martin von Molitor. It dates from 1790 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Martin von Molitor’s etching titled Landscape with a Waterfall and a Resting Family dates to around 1790. Executed on chine collé, the monochrome print depicts a tranquil outdoor scene where a family pauses beneath a large tree beside a cascading waterfall, framed by a forested landscape and distant hills.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a family seated on a grassy bank, their relaxed posture suggesting a moment of repose within nature. The surrounding trees, rocks, and the flowing water create a harmonious setting that emphasizes the peaceful coexistence of humans and the natural environment.
Technique & Style
Molitor employed fine etched lines to render delicate foliage, the texture of bark, and the movement of water. The use of chine collé—a thin paper adhered to a sturdier support—allows for crisp detail while maintaining the lightness characteristic of late‑18th‑century printmaking.
History & Provenance
Created circa 1790, the work reflects the period’s interest in idyllic landscapes and the technical advances of etching. While specific ownership records are limited, the print is representative of Molitor’s output during a time when such images were circulated among collectors of prints and landscape art.
Artist & collection
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