Gardens of an Italian Villa

1744/1750

Joseph-Marie Vien

Associated Names
Joseph-Marie Vien

Artist, French, 1716 - 1809

The image is a pencil sketch of a classical architectural structure with arched doorways and a balustrade, partially obscured by trees with tall, slender trunks and canopies. The horizon is indicated by the architectural elements and trees. The sketch features light, quick pencil lines for texture, especially in the foliage and architectural details. The black and white color palette emphasizes the contrast between structures and nature, highlighting varied textures in the sketch.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    graphite on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Mark J. Millard Architectural Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 11.8 x 18 cm (4 5/8 x 7 1/16 in.)
    page size: 42.5 x 27.7 cm (16 3/4 x 10 7/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    1983.49.201

Associated Artworks

See all 54 artworks
The image portrays an architectural ruin with a view of vertical elements such as a classical column and an arch. A statue is visible in a niche on the left. The brushstrokes are detailed, capturing the intricacies of the column and flowing water from a fountain. The color palette includes earthy browns, grays, subtle greens, and pale blue-gray. Water in the fountain is depicted with whites and blues. The scene conveys textures of aged stone and flowing water.

Fountain in a Courtyard

Charles Louis Clérisseau

1768

Album of Drawings of Rome and the Surrounding Countryside

Joseph-Marie Vien, Charles Louis Clérisseau

1744

This is a drawing of an architectural column detail. The drawing showcases the intricate design of a Corinthian column capital, featuring acanthus leaves and volutes typical of this classical style. The upper portion includes the entablature with detailed measurements noted on the sides. The shading and line work emphasize precision and detail, focusing on the decorative and structural elements of the Corinthian order.

L'Ordre Corinthian

Charles Louis Clérisseau

1768

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Antonio Cesare Poggi (died c. 1836; Lugt 617); Charles Edouard Mewes; Mark J. Millard, New York; purchased by NGA, 1983.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1988

  • Gaehtgens, Thomas W. and Jacques Lugand. Joseph-Marie Vien Peintre du Roi (1716-1809). Paris, 1988, 132-133, no. 17a (all Vien drawings repr.)

1993

  • Wiebenson, Dora and Claire Baines. The Mark J. Millard Architectural Collection, Volume I, French Books Sixteenth through Nineteenth Centuries. Washington, DC, 1993, no. 53 (1983.49.187 repr.).

Wikidata ID

Q64591507

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