Artwork
Valley with River and Mountains
Valley with River and Mountains is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist William Sidney Mount. It dates from 1843 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Valley with River and Mountains is a graphite drawing on wove paper executed by American artist William Sidney Mount in 1843. The work measures a modest size and presents a tranquil landscape scene rendered in delicate pencil lines.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a serene valley through which a meandering river flows. Small dwellings cluster near the water’s edge, while trees line the banks and gentle hills rise in the background, suggesting a harmonious relationship between human habitation and the natural environment.
Technique & Style
Mount employed light, swift graphite strokes that capture the fleeting impression of the scene. The drawing’s tonal range is restrained, emphasizing atmospheric perspective as the distant mountains recede into a pale sky, a quality associated with early Romantic landscape sensibilities.
History & Provenance
Created in the mid‑19th century, the drawing reflects Mount’s interest in rural American life. The paper shows signs of age and handling, indicating it has been preserved for over a century, though specific ownership records prior to its acquisition by the museum are not documented.
Artist & collection
Artist
William Sidney Mount (November 26, 1807 – November 19, 1868) was a 19th-century American genre painter.
