Roman Bridge in Avignon
1922
Medium
Graphic Arts-Print
Classification
Graphic Arts-Print
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Sade C. Styron
Accession Number
1970.135
Tags
Art Historical Context
Thomas Handforth's *Roman Bridge in Avignon* (1922) captures the timeless allure of one of France's most iconic landmarks along the Rhône River. This graphic arts print depicts the ancient bridge in Avignon—often romanticized as the Pont Saint-Bénézet or "Pont d'Avignon"—with its classical arches evoking Roman engineering amid a scenic riverside vista. Created early in Handforth's career, the work reflects his emerging talent for evocative printmaking, blending architectural precision with atmospheric depth. As a lithograph, the medium allows Handforth to masterfully render textures—from weat...