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This is a historical scene set in a Roman military encampment. The drawing shows various figures engaged in different activities. In the foreground, two figures dressed in Roman armor and capes stand beside a decorated tent. One figure raises a piece of cloth while the other seems to be conversing. Surrounding them are individuals in various poses. In the middle ground, more figures are visible, some on horseback and others carrying equipment. The background shows a busy encampment with tents and soldiers, creating depth in the scene. The drawing is in a monochromatic sepia tone.
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This is a historical scene set in a Roman military encampment. The drawing shows various figures engaged in different activities. In the foreground, two figures dressed in Roman armor and capes stand beside a decorated tent. One figure raises a piece of cloth while the other seems to be conversing. Surrounding them are individuals in various poses. In the middle ground, more figures are visible, some on horseback and others carrying equipment. The background shows a busy encampment with tents and soldiers, creating depth in the scene. The drawing is in a monochromatic sepia tone.

National Gallery of Art · Drawing

A Scene from the Life of Trajan

Conrad Metz

Date
1817
Medium
pen and brown ink with brown wash over black chalk, heightened with white on laid paper
Dimensions
overall: 41.4 x 54.1 cm (16 5/16 x 21 5/16 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Accession number
1991.150.47
Credit line
Gift of William B. O'Neal, in Honor of the 50th Anniversary of the National Gallery of Art
Time span
1801 to 1825
Department
CG-E
Original NGA record Wikidata

Subjects and terms

  • German
  • classical
  • secular
  • Trajan
Provenance

(Bury Street Gallery [William Drummond], London); William B. O'Neal [1907-1994], Charlottesville, VA, November 1986; gift to NGA, 1991.

Inscription

lower right in brown ink: C.M. Metz / Rome 1817

NGA object ID 73500. 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.