Artwork
Dalles of the St. Louis
Dalles of the St. Louis is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Alfred R. Waud. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Dalles of the St.
About this work
Overview
Dalles of the St. Louis is a wood engraving by Alfred R. Waud, dated to 1860, depicting a dynamic river scene characterized by turbulent water and rugged natural surroundings.
Subject & Meaning
The engraving captures a moment of natural force, with a river surging through rocky cliffs, swells crashing over jagged stones, and vegetation clinging to steep banks, emphasizing the power of the natural world.
Technique & Style
Waud employed sharp, precise lines to convey the velocity of the water and the roughness of the terrain. Tiny, crisscrossed lines (reminiscent of cross-hatching) were used to achieve detailed textures and deep shadows, lending a near-three-dimensional quality to the piece.
History & Provenance
Created in 1860, specific details regarding the engraving's exhibition history, ownership, or commission context are not provided in the available information.
Context
While specific contextual details are scarce, the work reflects 19th-century interests in depicting the American wilderness, potentially aligning with broader themes of exploration and the sublime in nature.
Legacy
The engraving's impact or influence on subsequent artistic movements or individual artists is not detailed in the provided information, though its technique exemplifies the detailed linework characteristic of its time.
Artist & collection
