Bologna was painted by Richard Parkes Bonington in 1826.

Where can I see Bologna?

Bologna is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Bologna?

Bologna is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Bologna

Richard Parkes Bonington , 1826

Bologna is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Richard Parkes Bonington. It dates from 1826 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1826, *Bologna* is an etching by the English Romantic landscape artist Richard Parkes Bonington. The print depicts a narrow street in the Italian city, flanked by tall, shadowed buildings and a distant tower that pierces the sky. Figures populate the thoroughfare, lending a sense of everyday activity to the composition.

Subject & Meaning

The work presents an urban scene rather than Bonington’s more typical coastal vistas, focusing on the interplay of architecture and atmosphere. The cramped street, the rising tower, and the scattered pedestrians convey a moment of ordinary life while emphasizing the depth of the cityscape and the subtle drama of light and shadow.

Technique & Style

Bonington employed the etching process to achieve fine linear detail and a range of tonal contrasts. Dark, precise lines define the structures, while lighter washes suggest sky and cloud. This combination of crisp contour and atmospheric shading reflects his admiration for older masters and his own modern sensibility toward light effects.

History & Provenance

Although Bonington spent much of his career in France, he produced *Bologna* during a period of travel in Italy. The print was issued shortly after its creation and entered collections that valued his ability to render European cityscapes. Its provenance traces through several private holdings before being acquired by the museum that now displays it.