This is a drawing of three figures in a small boat in turbulent waters. The scene is depicted in pen and ink on sepia-toned paper. The boat is in the center, navigating choppy waves. The figures in the boat are working together, holding long poles towards the water. The background is cross-hatched, suggesting depth and atmosphere. The expressions and poses of the figures convey urgency and action. The lines are precise and energetic, capturing the setting effectively. The overall tone is monochromatic with a contrast between dark lines and the light paper, emphasizing the vintage style.
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Study for "Shad Fishing"

William Tylee Ranney (American, 1813 - 1857)

c. 1846

Medium
pen and ink with gouache on wove paper
Classification
Drawing
Dimensions
image: 8.57 × 14.92 cm (3 3/8 × 5 7/8 in.) ; sheet: 12.07 × 17.94 cm (4 3/4 × 7 1/16 in.)
Culture
American
Museum
National Gallery of Art, CG-W
Credit line
Corcoran Collection (Gift of Claude J. Ranney, grandson of the artist, 1960)
Rights
Public domain (NGA Open Access, CC0), as the museum states it.
Who can see it
Tweens profiles and older: its subjects are known and suit older children. How works are placed

View at the National Gallery of Art