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.
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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.