
Read the visual description
The image shows an elevated viewpoint overlooking a grand architectural setting. The horizon is suggested by rising structures and distant pyramids, including an obelisk. The drawing style features loose brushstrokes with sepia tones, creating a sketch-like quality. The color palette is mainly monochromatic with light brown and beige. Closest to the viewer are large, indistinct shapes, figures, and vehicles. Further away, a curved colonnade leads to a monumental arch and pyramid structures among bustling figures. The sky has soft, sparse clouds.
National Gallery of Art · Drawing
A Roman Capriccio
Hubert Robert
- Date
- c. 1763/1764
- Medium
- pen and brown ink with brown wash on laid paper
- Dimensions
- sheet: 25.7 × 35.8 cm (10 1/8 × 14 1/8 in.)
- Classification
- Drawing
- Accession number
- 2019.46.3
- Credit line
- Gift of Victor Carlson
- Time span
- 1751 to 1775
- Department
- CG-E
Subjects and terms
- architecture
- Sculpture
- Building
- Figures
Provenance
Sir Francis Stonor, London. (Hans Calmann, London); Victor Carlson, c. 1966; gift to NGA in 2019.
Inscription
by later hand, upper left verso in graphite: H. Robert
NGA object ID 219361. 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.