Two Figures Resting on Hillside near Two Trees n.d.

Franz Kobell, a German artist known for his landscapes, created this pen and ink drawing, “Two Figures Resting on Hillside near Two Trees,” sometime in the late 18th or early 19th centuries. The drawing depicts a picturesque scene of two figures resting beneath a large tree on a hillside. The artist utilizes cross-hatching to create the illusion of depth, light, and texture, rendering the hilly landscape and the foliage in great detail. The simplicity of the composition, with its minimal use of figures, highlights the natural beauty of the setting. This piece, now part of the Art Institute of Chicago's collection, showcases Kobell's keen observation of nature and his ability to capture its essence in a masterful way.