Artwork

Shriveled Leaves

Shriveled Leaves, by Friedrich Olivier, ink, 1817
Shriveled Leaves, by Friedrich Olivier, ink, 1817

Shriveled Leaves is an ink drawing by the Romanticist artist Friedrich Olivier. It dates from 1817 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Shriveled Leaves is a drawing by Friedrich Olivier, executed in 1817 on wove paper using pen and black ink, with touches of black wash over graphite.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts two leaves, one large and twisted, the other small and curled, conveying a sense of fragility and impermanence, emphasizing the fleeting nature of natural beauty.

Technique & Style

Olivier employed delicate detail, subtle shading, and texture to achieve depth and dimension, characteristic of the Romantic movement's attention to natural forms.

History & Provenance

Created in 1817, the work's provenance is not detailed here, but its creation date situates it within the Romantic era's artistic output.

Context

Shriveled Leaves reflects the Romantic movement's focus on nature, capturing a moment of natural decay and beauty.

Artist & collection

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.