Artwork

View of a City at Night

View of a City at Night, by Camille Roqueplan, 1831
View of a City at Night, by Camille Roqueplan, 1831

View of a City at Night is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Camille Roqueplan. It dates from 1831 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

You see a city at night with buildings and streets.
The painting shows a quiet moment, with no people around. It's interesting because it was made in 1831, but the subjects say it's about 20th century France, which is a bit confusing.
Check out the technique of chiaroscuro to learn more about how artists create contrast with light and dark.

Overview

View of a City at Night is a drawing created by Camille Joseph Etienne Roqueplan in 1831. It is a cityscape held in The Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts a serene nighttime city scene, devoid of human presence. Despite being created in the early 19th century, the cityscape is often associated with 20th-century France, presenting an intriguing anachronism.

Technique & Style

Roqueplan's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that exploits the contrast between light and dark, is notable in this work. This artistic device adds depth and atmosphere to the nocturnal cityscape.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Camille Roqueplan

Artist

Camille Roqueplan

Camille Joseph Etienne Roqueplan (18 February 1802/03 – 29 September 1855) was a French Romantic painter of landscapes, genre and historical scenes.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.