Artwork
Mont St Michel
Mont St Michel is an oil painting by David Roberts. It dates from 1848 and is held in the collection of the National Galleries Scotland.
About this work
Overview
David Roberts’ 1848 oil painting captures the iconic tidal island of Mont‑Saint‑Michel in Normandy. Executed in a landscape format, the work presents the historic site’s dramatic architecture against the surrounding sea, reflecting the artist’s interest in European scenery beyond his more celebrated Orientalist subjects.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on the abbey perched atop the rocky outcrop, emphasizing its isolation and the interplay of light on stone and water. By depicting the island at a moment of tidal transition, Roberts underscores the mutable relationship between human construction and the natural environment.
Technique & Style
Roberts employs a restrained palette of muted blues, grays, and earth tones, rendering atmospheric effects through delicate brushwork. The handling of water and sky demonstrates his skill in conveying depth and mood, while the precise architectural detailing reflects his background in topographical drawing.
History & Provenance
Created shortly after Roberts’ election to the Royal Academy of Arts in 1841, the painting forms part of his broader oeuvre that includes extensive travel sketches of Britain and continental Europe. Though best known for his Middle Eastern scenes, this work illustrates his continued engagement with Western landmarks during the mid‑19th century.
Artist & collection
Artist
David Roberts (24 October 1796 – 25 November 1864) was a Scottish painter. He is especially known for The Holy Land, Syria, Idumea, Arabia, Egypt, and Nubia, a prolific series of detailed lithograph prints of Egypt and…
Capriccio Landscape (called View of Rosslyn Castle)
Edinburgh Castle and the Nor' Loch
Landschaft mit einem Schloss auf einem Felskegel
Ravensheugh Castle
The Castle on the Rock
View on the Tiber, Rome
Andernach on the Rhine, Germany
A View of Vietri in the Gulf of Salerno
Rocky Coast with Figures and Boats
Genoa
Italian landscape with a view of a harbour
Mont St. Michel, Normandy