Frontispiece for "Tombs"

1768, published 1770

Jean-Laurent Legeay

Associated Names
Jean-Laurent Legeay

Artist, French, c. 1710 - after 1788

Louis-Joseph Mondhare

Publisher, French, 1734 - 1799

The image shows a large, intricately designed sepulchral monument against a backdrop of dense foliage and architectural elements. The horizon is not distinctly visible, as the monument dominates the scene, with trees and stone structures framing it. The brushstrokes convey a detailed and textured effect, particularly in the rendering of the stone and cloth. The overall color palette is monochromatic, consisting primarily of shades of brown. In the distance are fragments of trees and suggested architectural forms, adding depth and mystery to the image.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching on beige laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Andrew W. Mellon Fund

  • Dimensions

    plate: 19.4 × 16.3 cm (7 5/8 × 6 7/16 in.)
    sheet: 35.5 × 25.3 cm (14 × 9 15/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1977.10.2

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Erouart 1982, no. 133

  • Series Title

    Tombs

Artwork history & notes

Bibliography

1982

  • Erouart, Gilbert. Architettura come pittura: Jean-Laurent Legeay un piranesiano francese nell'Europa dei Lumi. Milan: Electa Editrice, 1982.

Inscriptions

recto: in plate, in image, at upper left: TOMBEAUX / INVENTIONE DI GIOVA / LORENZO LE GEAY / ARCHITET INTAGLIA / DA LUY STESSO IN LUCe / MDCC.LX.VIII; in plate, below image, at left: J.G. Le Geay inv. et sculpsit; at bottom center in graphite in later hand: 14; verso: at bottom right in graphite in later hand: B-29-127

Markings

none

Watermarks

none

Wikidata ID

Q65572253

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