# Rays of Sunlight Striking a Woodland Path

**Friedrich Salathé** (Swiss, 1793–1858)  
c. 1815  
watercolor with pen and black ink over graphite on wove paper  
sheet: 42.8 x 34 cm (16 7/8 x 13 3/8 in.)

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2007.111.32. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.139126.html).

## About this work

Friedrich Salathé painted this in about 1815, aged 22. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

The image shows a dense, forested area with towering trees. The composition leads the eye along a pathway into the distance, without a distinct horizon line. The intricate brushstrokes depict the texture and foliage of the trees, suggesting movement and light filtering through the leaves. The color palette is rich and earthy, with shades of green, brown, yellow, and orange, creating a vibrant yet tranquil atmosphere emphasizing light and shadow.

_Description from the National Gallery of Art._

### How it was made

- **Watercolour.** Pigment in gum arabic, thinned with water and laid in transparent washes. Nothing white is painted: the light is the paper showing through.
- **Graphite.** Pencil. Graphite has been used for drawing since the 1500s; in 1795 Nicolas-Jacques Conté mixed it with clay, so its hardness could be graded.
- **Pen and ink.** Drawn with a quill or reed pen, often with wash added by brush to model light and shadow.

### [Friedrich Salathé](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/friedrich-salathe)

Swiss, 1793–1858

## Facts

- Type: Drawing
- The artist was 22
- Real size: about 17 × 13 in (43 × 34 cm). The 12 × 16 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 19th century
- Subjects: Tree, Sun, Forest, Leaf, Nature
- Colour: olive
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1668.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1668/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86; 24 × 36 in $108
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208; 24 × 36 in $258
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118; 20 × 30 in $148
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5; 24 × 36 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/rays-of-sunlight-striking-a-woodland-path-nga-139126).