The Trevi Fountain, Rome

Art Historical Context

Nestled among the treasures of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, *The Trevi Fountain, Rome is a delicate pen-and-ink drawing heightened with gray wash by Giovanni Battista Cipriani, dating to the late 18th–mid-19th century. Measuring just 3 1/16 x 4 3/16 inches (7.8 x 10.6 cm), this work captures the architectural splendor of Rome's famed Trevi Fountain—a Baroque icon renowned for its cascading waters, sculptural drama, and urban grandeur. Cipriani's precise lines and subtle tonal washes evoke the fountain's lively energy and intricate details, inviting visitors to linger over its compact scale. This technique of pen and ink with gray wash was prized in the period for its versatility in rendering architecture and landscapes, allowing artists to balance sharp contours with atmospheric depth. Cipriani's depiction reflects the enduring fascination with Rome's ancient and Renaissance landmarks among European artists, preserving the Trevi Fountain's cultural allure—symbol of the Eternal City—through a personal, on-site lens. A thoughtful gift to the Met in 1996 by Alexander B.V. Johnson and Roberta J.M. Olson, it exemplifies how drawings serve as vital records of built heritage. (198 words)

About the Artist

Giovanni Battista Cipriani · 1766–1839

Giovanni Battista Cipriani was born on April 20, 1766, in Siena, Italy, to Simon Pietro Cipriani and Eva Bandini. He grew up alongside his brothers Barbato, a sculptor, and Galgano, an engraver, in a family immersed in the arts. Cipriani began his education studying Latin and mathematics before pursuing fine arts under the sculptor and architect Giuseppe Silini in Siena.) His talent earned him a p...