Artwork
The Roman Circus near Santa Croce in Gerusalemme
The Roman Circus near Santa Croce in Gerusalemme is a chalk drawing by the Neoclassicist artist Jacques-Louis David. It dates from 1778 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Roman Circus near Santa Croce in Gerusalemme is a drawing by Jacques-Louis David, created in 1778. It is a black chalk and gray wash work on pale blue paper, held at the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts two buildings by a river, connected by trees and a bridge. The upper structure is a columned, flat-roofed building on a raised platform, while the lower one has a tower and chimney near the water.
Technique & Style
David employed soft gray washes to soften the edges, achieving a dreamy, unfinished quality. This approach, typical of early sketches, prioritizes capturing light and atmosphere over detailed representation.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jacques-Louis David was born in Paris on 30 August 1748 into a bourgeois family; his father died in a duel when the boy was nine, and a maternal uncle guided his education.
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