Terrace by a River with a Villa and Trees Beyond
1744/1750
Medium
graphite on laid paper
Dimensions
sheet: 11.7 x 18 cm (4 5/8 x 7 1/16 in.) page size: 42.5 x 27.7 cm (16 3/4 x 10 7/8 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Mark J. Millard Architectural Collection
Accession Number
1983.49.170
Art Historical Context
Joseph-Marie Vien's *Terrace by a River with a Villa and Trees Beyond (ca. 1744–1750) captures a serene landscape in delicate graphite on laid paper, a modest sheet measuring just 11.7 x 18 cm. Created early in Vien's career, this reflects the French artist's burgeoning interest in classical motifs during a pivotal era. Vien, a key precursor to Neoclassicism had recently won the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1743, likely immersing himself in Italianate scenes that blended natural beauty with architectural elegance—evident here in the terraced riverbank, distant villa, and lush trees. The work's...
About the Artist
Joseph-Marie Vien · 1716–1809
Joseph-Marie Vien (1716–1809) was born on 18 June in Montpellier, France, into a modest family, emerging as a child prodigy in painting. As a protégé of the Comte de Caylus, he entered the studio of Charles-Joseph Natoire at an early age, honing his skills in history painting. Winning the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1743, Vien traveled to Italy in 1744, spending six formative years in Rome studyin...