Waterfall with Rocks

Attributed to John Sell Cotman

Associated Names
John Sell Cotman

Artist, British, 1782 - 1842

The image shows a natural setting with a waterfall cascading over rocks. The perspective is straightforward, giving a clear frontal view. The horizon line is high, sketched with mountain outlines blending with trees and rocks. The sketch technique is soft and freehand with fine and heavy pencil strokes depicting rock texture, water flow, and vegetation. The space is dominated by large, roughly sketched rocks forming the waterfall. The color palette is monochromatic with shades of grey and black on light beige paper. The waterfall flows into a stream toward the bottom, enhancing depth. In the distance, faint outlines suggest more trees and hills.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    graphite and black chalk, heightened with white chalk, on gray paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    overall: 17.8 x 24.9 cm (7 x 9 13/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1951.16.187


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

James Bulwer (1794-1879), Norwich, England; by descent through the Bulwer family to Henry Bulwer (born 1854), Vancouver, Canada; Zeitlin & Ver Brugge Booksellers, Los Angeles; Lessing J. Rosenwald; gift to NGA, 1951.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

in later hand, lower right in graphite: C; upper right verso in graphite: 182

Wikidata ID

Q64536877

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