
Read the visual description
The image depicts an elevated view looking into a courtyard or open space surrounded by architectural ruins. The horizon blends into the distant ruins, old structures, and arches. The artwork is an etching with detailed line work and fine, sketch-like brushstrokes defining the scene. The color palette is monochromatic, using black ink and ivory paper for depth. Closest are three figures near a rectangular base, with a broken column and scattered remnants. More figures are seen in the space, amid weathered structures and trees. The right side shows a large building with an archway, covered with vines and foliage.
National Gallery of Art · Print
Architectural Fantasy with Roman Ruins
Joseph Stephan
- Date
- 1769
- Medium
- etching on laid paper
- Dimensions
- plate: 15.3 x 23 cm (6 x 9 1/16 in.) sheet: 17.3 x 25.1 cm (6 13/16 x 9 7/8 in.)
- Classification
- Accession number
- 1999.18.1
- Credit line
- Gift of Melissa J. Stegeman in honor of Paul Mellon
- Time span
- 1751 to 1775
- Department
- CG-E
Subjects and terms
- etching
- German
- fantasy
- architecture
Provenance
Paul Prouté S. A.; purchased 1999 by NGA.
Inscription
lower center in plate: Joseph. Stephan. inven. et sculp. 1769.; lower left below plate, in graphite: Ecole venetienne (undeciphered) 1744; on verso, lower right, in graphite: 96/134; No. 252
Watermarks
unidentified coat of arms?
NGA object ID 108658. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.