The image shows a set of stone steps leading towards a darkened archway. The perspective is from below, emphasizing the narrowness and steep incline of the passage. A house with a window is visible above the archway, with a patch of blue sky and leafy branches above rooftops in the background. The painting uses loose, fluid brushstrokes to depict the stone walls and steps with earthy browns, grays, and hints of warm orange tones. The color palette is dominated by muted earth tones, with a vivid azure sky adding contrast. The watercolor technique adds warmth and age to the rustic stone surroundings.
Read the visual description

The image shows a set of stone steps leading towards a darkened archway. The perspective is from below, emphasizing the narrowness and steep incline of the passage. A house with a window is visible above the archway, with a patch of blue sky and leafy branches above rooftops in the background. The painting uses loose, fluid brushstrokes to depict the stone walls and steps with earthy browns, grays, and hints of warm orange tones. The color palette is dominated by muted earth tones, with a vivid azure sky adding contrast. The watercolor technique adds warmth and age to the rustic stone surroundings.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

A View in Subiaco

Pio Joris

Date
1873
Medium
watercolor on wove paper
Dimensions
sheet: 54.1 × 32.1 cm (21 5/16 × 12 5/8 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
2014.92.1
Credit line
Purchased as the Gift of Joan and David Maxwell
Time span
1851 to 1875
Department
CG-E

Subjects and terms

  • Door
  • Window
  • Building
Provenance

Attilio Simonetti, Rome (1843 - 1925); by descent in the Simonetti family, Rome; (Kunsthandel Schlichte Bergen, Amsterdam); purchased by NGA, 2014.

Inscription

lower left in brown ink: All'amico A. Simonetti / P Joris / Subiaco / 15 7bre 73

NGA object ID 164794. 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.