Artwork

The High Bridge Near Farmville

The High Bridge Near Farmville, by Woldemar Rau, ink, 1857
The High Bridge Near Farmville, by Woldemar Rau, ink, 1857

The High Bridge Near Farmville is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Woldemar Rau. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

The artist used soft colors and careful lines to show the landscape as it really looked.

This print shows a long wooden bridge stretching over a valley. Below it, a winding road cuts through green hills and small farms. The sky is pale, and the whole scene looks calm and quiet.

The title says this is "The High Bridge Near Farmville," made in 1857. The artist used soft colors and careful lines to show the landscape as it really looked.

Next, check out lithography to see how this print was made.

Overview

The High Bridge Near Farmville is a color lithograph on wove paper, executed by Woldemar Rau in 1857. The print depicts a serene landscape featuring a lengthy wooden bridge spanning a valley, with a winding road, green hills, and small farms below, set against a pale sky.

Subject & Meaning

The subject of the print is a specific rural scene near Farmville, emphasizing the coexistence of natural terrain and man-made structures. The calm atmosphere suggests a focus on capturing the everyday tranquility of the landscape.

Technique & Style

Rau employed soft coloration and meticulous linework in this lithograph, characteristic of a realistic approach to landscape representation. The technique allowed for a detailed, observational portrayal of the scene.

History & Provenance

Created in 1857, specific provenance details of the print are not provided, though its creation date situates it within the mid-19th century's lithographic landscape art productions.

Context

The work reflects the 19th-century interest in depicting local, everyday landscapes through emerging print technologies like lithography, which facilitated wider dissemination of artistic works.

Legacy

The legacy of 'The High Bridge Near Farmville' lies in its contribution to the body of mid-19th century landscape lithography, though its broader impact or influence on subsequent artistic movements is not prominently documented.

Artist & collection

Artist

Woldemar Rau

Woldemar Rau (1857–1857) was an artist.

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