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The image shows a sketch with structures atop a hill, as seen from a lower point of view. The horizon is faint, at the level of the buildings, with trees and shrubs leading up to it. The main building is on the left, with a smaller dome-like structure behind it to the right. The sketchy pencil strokes depict textures and shadows, in a monochromatic palette of black, gray, and white. Natural elements in the foreground are drawn with bold lines and shading, giving depth, while in the background, elements blend into simplified lines suggesting trees near the buildings.
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The image shows a sketch with structures atop a hill, as seen from a lower point of view. The horizon is faint, at the level of the buildings, with trees and shrubs leading up to it. The main building is on the left, with a smaller dome-like structure behind it to the right. The sketchy pencil strokes depict textures and shadows, in a monochromatic palette of black, gray, and white. Natural elements in the foreground are drawn with bold lines and shading, giving depth, while in the background, elements blend into simplified lines suggesting trees near the buildings.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

A Building on a Hill with Saint Peter's in the Distance

Joseph-Marie Vien

Date
1744/1750
Medium
graphite on laid paper
Dimensions
sheet: 12.9 x 18.5 cm (5 1/16 x 7 5/16 in.) page size: 42.5 x 27.7 cm (16 3/4 x 10 7/8 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1983.49.179
Credit line
Mark J. Millard Architectural Collection
Time span
1726 to 1750
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • French
  • Italy
  • architecture
  • Cityscape
  • landscape
  • Rome
Provenance

Antonio Cesare Poggi (died c. 1836; Lugt 617); Charles Edouard Mewes; Mark J. Millard, New York; purchased by NGA, 1983.

NGA object ID 62501. 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.