Architectural Fantasy of a Magnificent Ancient Port

c. 1750

Pierre Moreau

Associated Names
Pierre Moreau

Artist, French, died 1762

The image portrays an architectural scene with classical structures adorned with columns and ornate decorations. The detailed lines and shadows highlight elements like statues and grand staircases. The horizon is concealed by the grand buildings. The etching technique shows precise line work capturing the grandeur. The color palette is primarily sepia and black. The sky features swirling lines indicating movement, with small figures in the distance adding scale to the scene.

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    pen and brown and black ink on laid paper on old mount

  • Credit Line

    William B. O'Neal Fund

  • Dimensions

    sheet: 18.2 × 27.4 cm (7 3/16 × 10 13/16 in.)
    mount: 33.1 × 42.2 cm (13 1/16 × 16 5/8 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2014.88.1

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(sale, Christie's Paris, 26 March 2014, no. 81, as "attributed to Jean-Laurent Legeay"); (via Paul Prouté, S.A., Paris); purchased 2014 by NGA.

Associated Names

Inscriptions

by later hand, lower right in graphite: dessin de S. Challes

Wikidata ID

Q64619621

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