Wooded Landscape with a Man Crossing a Bridge 1780 - 1784

Thomas Gainsborough made this landscape drawing using primarily a brush, with black and white chalk for highlights. The image shows his characteristic feathery style; he even used thinned oil paint to achieve the translucent washes. Look closely, and you can almost feel the dampness of the scene. The thinness of the application is deceptive, however. It gives the impression of spontaneity, yet the artist likely spent hours coaxing the image into being. Gainsborough was known for his portraits, but landscape was his passion. His approach was deeply rooted in the careful observation of nature, as well as his deep understanding of the materials at hand. Considering the social context, the work reflects a romantic view of nature, far removed from the realities of rural labor and class, but instead offering an idealized vision, and a picturesque aesthetic. Next time you see a landscape drawing, remember the artist's patient work and the way materials shape the image. This challenges the distinction between art and craft.