A Blot-Lake with Boat, Surrounded by Trees 1750 - 1786

"A Blot-Lake with Boat, Surrounded by Trees" is a black ink drawing by Alexander Cozens, a British artist known for his innovative approach to landscape. Created between 1750 and 1786, the work exemplifies Cozens's "blotting" technique, where ink blots are used to suggest forms and textures. The gestural brushstrokes, reminiscent of Chinese ink wash painting, capture a sense of atmospheric depth and the play of light and shadow, particularly evident in the shadowy trees surrounding a barely visible lake with a small boat. The drawing is now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.