Roman Ruins

1845

Alexandre Calame

Associated Names
Alexandre Calame

Artist, Swiss, 1810 - 1864

The image displays a landscape with a partially ruined ancient temple at the center. The horizon is low, emphasizing the silhouette of the temple against the sky. The brushstrokes are detailed, resembling an engraver's technique. The color palette is monochrome, relying on light and shadow for depth. In the foreground, there are stone debris and broken columns. Beyond the temple are rocky formations and vegetation against the textured sky.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching on chine collé

  • Credit Line

    Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund

  • Dimensions

    plate: 10.8 x 16.2 cm (4 1/4 x 6 3/8 in.)
    sheet: 26.8 x 35.8 cm (10 9/16 x 14 1/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2009.129.30

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Calabi 1937, no. III, 36

  • Series Title

    Essais de gravure à l'eau forte par Alexandre Calame, III, pl. 14

Associated Artworks

See all 45 artworks

Title Page / Title Page

Alexandre Calame

1838

Essais de gravure à l'eau forte par Alexandre Calame, I-IV

Alexandre Calame

1838

The image depicts a landscape seen from a slightly elevated viewpoint overlooking a body of water towards a cluster of trees. The horizon appears high in the composition with the sky above. The scene shows trees, a hill, water, and hills in the distance. The artwork uses detailed etching techniques with fine hatched lines to create texture and depth. The color scheme is monochromatic, mostly sepia or dark tones. In the foreground, intricate details are visible in the trees and water.

Trees by a River

Alexandre Calame

1838

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(Daniela Laube Inc. Fine Art, New York); purchased 2009 by NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1937

  • Calabi, A., and A. Schreiber-Favre. "Les eaux-fortes et les lithographies d'Alexandre Calame " Die graphischen Kunste 2 (1937): III, 36

2009

  • Daniela Laube Fine Art, Catalogue 6, 2009. no. 22.

Inscriptions

lower left in plate: Rome 1845; lower right in plate: A Calame fe; by later hand, lower center verso in graphite: 1845 Calabi III, 36

Wikidata ID

Q76555046

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