The Bend in the River 1767

"The Bend in the River" (1767) by Simon Mathurin Lantara, is a black and white landscape drawing that showcases the artist's talent for detail and atmospheric perspective. The drawing depicts a bend in a river, with a village nestled in the background. The viewer is drawn to the foreground, where a large tree casts a shadow over a rocky outcrop. The composition is balanced and harmonious, with the use of light and shade creating a sense of depth and space. Lantara was known for his skill in depicting natural phenomena, and the windswept trees and turbulent sky in this drawing demonstrate his mastery of this skill. The drawing is a prime example of 18th-century landscape art and is a fine addition to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection.