The artwork titled “Rocky wooded landscape with waterfall, castle and mountain” by Thomas Gainsborough is a remarkable piece rendered using chalk and stump on paper. This exquisite landscape, measuring 7 x 8.1 cm, is an epitome of the Rococo art movement and currently resides in the British Museum, London, United Kingdom.
This artwork captures a dramatic and picturesque scene that encompasses a dense, rocky, and wooded terrain. A waterfall cascades down amidst the rugged landscape, adding a sense of movement and life to the composition. In the background, a castle subtly emerges amongst the trees, harmonizing with the serene yet wild nature of the scene. Mountains loom in the distance, further enriching the depth and grandeur of the setting. Gainsborough’s masterful use of chalk and stump techniques provides intricate textures and a play of light and shadows, which together evoke a sense of tranquility intertwined with the untamed beauty of nature.