
Avalanche in an Alpine Landscape
Puvis de Chavannes, Pierre · French
c. 1870
- Medium
- black and white chalk on blue paper (verso)
- Classification
- Drawing
- Period
- 1851 to 1875
- Image size
- 7612 × 5204px
Description
The image shows a downward perspective, appearing to be from a mountainside looking into a valley. The horizon is partly visible but mostly hidden by mountains and trees. The artwork features light and sketchy brushstrokes with graphite or pencil marks adding texture to trees and rocks, giving depth to the scene. The color palette is mostly monochromatic, using shades of gray to depict shadowed and sunlit areas. Closest to the viewer are rocks and vegetation leading down to the valley, with the scene transitioning into thick woodland and rocky slopes in the background.
Rights & Source
Open access image from the National Gallery of Art, released under its open access program. Metadata via the NGA Open Data Program (CC0).