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The image shows a vertical landscape seen from an elevated viewpoint. The horizon is suggested by a horizontal line just below the center, where the faint outline of water and possibly a sail can be seen. Close to us, there is a sketchy formation of lines and patches resembling natural and architectural elements, such as trees and ruins with arches, using loose and expressive brushstrokes typical of a quick ink and wash drawing. The color palette is subtle, mainly consisting of soft browns and muted creams, creating a gentle sepia tone throughout the piece. The overall composition is framed by a thin margin.
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The image shows a vertical landscape seen from an elevated viewpoint. The horizon is suggested by a horizontal line just below the center, where the faint outline of water and possibly a sail can be seen. Close to us, there is a sketchy formation of lines and patches resembling natural and architectural elements, such as trees and ruins with arches, using loose and expressive brushstrokes typical of a quick ink and wash drawing. The color palette is subtle, mainly consisting of soft browns and muted creams, creating a gentle sepia tone throughout the piece. The overall composition is framed by a thin margin.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

A Capriccio of Ruins by the Lagoon

Francesco Guardi

Medium
pen and brown ink with brown and gray wash on laid paper; laid down
Dimensions
overall: 12.8 x 7.5 cm (5 1/16 x 2 15/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1986.64.1
Credit line
Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
Time span
1701 to 1725
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • Baroque
  • Venetian
  • fantasy
  • architecture
  • Ruins
Provenance

Private Collection, Florence, in 1971. (Artemis Fine Arts, New York); acquired 1986 by NGA.

NGA object ID 69370. 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.