Untitled (Panning for Gold) c. 1880s

"Untitled (Panning for Gold)" is a drawing by Joseph Lauber, created in the 1880s. The image depicts a scene of gold panning in a forest setting, with a man using a mule to operate a sluice box and another man panning for gold in a stream. Lauber captures the detailed work involved in gold mining through his depiction of the tools and techniques used, creating a realistic portrayal of this vital part of the California Gold Rush era. The scene's detail and use of shading convey the laborious nature of the work, adding to the image's overall realism.