A Roman Capriccio with the Pyramid of Gaius Cestius

1781 or later

Hubert Robert

Associated Names
Hubert Robert

Artist, French, 1733 - 1808

A drawing of an ancient Roman structure with a fountain and sculptures. The image features a large, pyramid-like mausoleum structure in the background. In the foreground, there is a sculpted fountain with a reclining figure and a lion's head from where water flows. A dog interacts with the water, while two women talk beside the fountain. Additional sculptural elements can be seen on the structure, including a human figure relief. Natural elements like shrubs and stones are present in the scene.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and black ink, with brown and gray-brown wash over black chalk counterproof on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Joseph F. McCrindle Collection

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 36.8 x 28.9 cm (14 1/2 x 11 3/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2009.70.199

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(P. & D. Colnaghi & Co. Ltd., London, by 1961); Joseph F. McCrindle [1923-2008], New York, 1961; Joseph F. McCrindle Foundation, 2008; gift to NGA, 2009.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

2012

  • The McCrindle Gift: A Distinguished Collection of Drawings and Watercolors. National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2012, 88-89, no. 33 (entry by Margaret Morgan Grasselli).

Bibliography

2013

  • Catala, Sarah. Les Hubert Robert de Besançon. Exh. cat. Musée des Beaux-Arts et d'Archéologie de Besançon. Milan, 2013: 178, under no. 150, fig. 150a (color).

Inscriptions

by artist, center right in pen and black ink within pyramid: IO M / C. VIT. SEXTIUS / VIR EPULONUS; dated in the counterproof (in reverse): 1781

Wikidata ID

Q64574748

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