Landscape with Waterfall 1745 - 1821

"Landscape with Waterfall" is an 18th-century etching by German artist Friedrich Wilhelm Gmelin, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The artwork depicts a serene forest scene with a cascading waterfall and a group of figures standing by the water. Gmelin’s depiction of the natural world evokes a sense of tranquility and sublime beauty characteristic of Romanticism, a movement emphasizing the power of nature to inspire awe and wonder. The etching's delicate lines and subtle shading create a realistic portrayal of the landscape, making it a powerful testament to Gmelin’s skill as a draftsman and printmaker.