Landschaft mit einem Wasserfall, über den ein Steg führt, links treibt ein Bauer zwei Kühe zu Tal, im Hintergrund eine Ruine 

Maria Dorothea Wagner captured this landscape with watercolor, a medium that allows for both delicacy and detail. The transparency of watercolor gives the scene its airy quality, with soft gradations of tone creating depth and atmosphere. The artist’s hand is evident in the fine brushstrokes used to render the foliage, rocks, and figures. The artist employs the white of the paper to enhance the luminous effect of the sky and waterfall. Wagner’s approach to landscape painting reflects a growing interest in naturalism during the 18th century. The detailed observation of the natural world combines with the artist's skilled handling of the watercolor medium, resulting in a work that invites the viewer to appreciate the beauty of the rural landscape, while subtly highlighting the labor and simplicity of rural life. Understanding the materials and the making process allows us to appreciate the skill and intention behind this image, blurring the lines between mere illustration and artistic expression.