Who painted Part of the Via Flaminia?

Part of the Via Flaminia was painted by Bartholomeus Breenbergh in 1640.

Where can I see Part of the Via Flaminia?

Part of the Via Flaminia is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Part of the Via Flaminia?

Part of the Via Flaminia is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Part of the Via Flaminia?

Museum-quality prints of Part of the Via Flaminia are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Part of the Via Flaminia

Bartholomeus Breenbergh , 1640

Part of the Via Flaminia is an ink print by the Baroque artist Bartholomeus Breenbergh. It dates from 1640 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Bartholomeus Breenbergh’s print titled Part of the Via Flaminia, executed in 1640, is an etching on laid paper. The work presents a tranquil stretch of road flanked by trees and low vegetation, with a modest bridge spanning a shallow stream. A handful of figures traverse the path, lending a sense of gentle activity to the otherwise serene landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The composition captures a segment of the ancient Via Flaminia, emphasizing the harmony between human movement and the natural environment. The modest number of pedestrians suggests a moment of everyday travel rather than a grand historical event, inviting viewers to contemplate the quiet continuity of rural routes.

Technique & Style

Breenbergh employed fine, controlled lines to render the bark’s texture and the foliage’s intricate forms, creating pronounced chiaroscuro through dense cross‑hatching. This meticulous approach reflects the prevailing etching conventions of the mid‑17th century, where tonal variation was achieved without reliance on color.

History & Provenance

Created in 1640, the print belongs to the period when Dutch and Flemish artists frequently produced topographical scenes for collectors. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work has been documented in several catalogues of Breenbergh’s prints, indicating its circulation among connoisseurs of the era.

Context

During the early Baroque, landscape prints served both decorative and documentary purposes, often depicting well‑known routes such as the Via Flaminia. Breenbergh’s choice of a modest, unadorned segment aligns with contemporary interests in realistic representation of travel corridors and the surrounding countryside.