Artwork

Fortified Castle Above a Narrow Valley

Fortified Castle Above a Narrow Valley, by Friedrich Salathé, graphite, 1826
Fortified Castle Above a Narrow Valley, by Friedrich Salathé, graphite, 1826

Fortified Castle Above a Narrow Valley is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist Friedrich Salathé. It dates from 1826 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Friedrich Salathé’s drawing titled *Fortified Castle Above a Narrow Valley* was executed in 1826. Rendered in graphite on wove paper, the work presents a detailed architectural study of a defensive structure perched over a constricted valley, emphasizing the interplay of stone mass and surrounding landscape.

Technique & Style

The artist employed graphite to achieve a range of tonal values, allowing precise rendering of the castle’s masonry and the shadowed recesses of the valley. The use of wove paper provides a smooth surface that supports fine line work, characteristic of early‑nineteenth‑century topographical drawing practices.

History & Provenance

Created in the early Romantic period, the drawing reflects contemporary interest in medieval fortifications and dramatic natural settings. While specific ownership records are limited, the piece has been catalogued among Salathé’s surviving drawings, indicating its preservation within institutional collections dedicated to 19th‑century European graphic art.

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.