The Triumphal Arch

1759

Jean-Jacques de Boissieu

Associated Names
Jean-Jacques de Boissieu

Artist, French, 1736 - 1810

The image depicts a pastoral scene viewed from a slightly elevated perspective. In the center left, there is an ancient stone archway standing amidst some ruins, with a round relief on its side and overgrown with vegetation. The horizon is low and mostly obscured by the lush trees and the structure itself, with hints of distant landscape visible through the arch. The artwork is made with fine, intricate linework, creating detailed textures for the foliage and the stone. The color palette consists predominantly of sepia tones. Closest to us, two figures in period clothing engage in conversation. To the right, a large stone tablet is visible with engraved text, partially covered by foliage and smaller rocks. The scene is framed by trees with branches and leaves detailed with delicate, cross-hatched strokes.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching and drypoint in sepia

  • Credit Line

    Gift of the Estate of Leo Steinberg

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 11.4 x 20.4 cm (4 1/2 x 8 1/16 in.)
    mount: 16.6 x 15.1 cm (6 9/16 x 5 15/16 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2011.139.68

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Boissieu 1878, no. 7 iii/iv


Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Leo Steinberg [1920-2011], New York; gift to NGA 2011.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1878

  • Boissieu, Alphonse de. J.J. de Boissieu, catalogue raisonne de son oeuvre. Paris: Rapilly; and Lyons: Auguste Brun, 1878, no. 7.

Inscriptions

lower right in plate [on carved stone]: paisage Dessinés &/ gravés/ par j.j. DB./a Lyon/1759; bottom margin in plate: A Paris chès la V.e de F. Chereau rue S. jcques aux 2, Pitiers d'Or.; by later hand, on mount, in grahite: L601-666; by later hand, upper right verso of mount, in graphite: L601/1181

Wikidata ID

Q76559160

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