Artwork

Sculpture at Persepolis, from Le Bruyn's Travels

Sculpture at Persepolis, from Le Bruyn's Travels, by Maria Denman, ink, 1829
Sculpture at Persepolis, from Le Bruyn's Travels, by Maria Denman, ink, 1829

Sculpture at Persepolis, from Le Bruyn's Travels is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Maria Denman. It dates from 1829 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Sculpture at Persepolis, from Le Bruyn's Travels is a lithograph created by Maria Denman in 1829. The print depicts a scene inspired by ancient Persian sculptures, as documented in Le Bruyn's Travels.

Subject & Meaning

The lithograph shows two robed figures walking together. One carries a distinctive pole with a round, flat top (resembling a sun shade) mounted on a wheel, while the other holds a small, unidentified object. The figures' attire and accessories suggest a representation of ancient cultural or daily life elements.

Technique & Style

The lithograph exhibits a simple, rough quality, characteristic of a quick sketch or a reproduction of a distant observation. The style implies a focus on capturing the essence of the subject rather than intricate detail.

History & Provenance

Created in 1829 by Maria Denman, this lithograph is based on illustrations found in Le Bruyn's Travels, indicating its roots in 18th-century travelogues that facilitated the dissemination of ancient Persian art in Europe.

Context

This work reflects the early 19th-century European interest in ancient Near Eastern cultures, facilitated by travel accounts like Le Bruyn's. It also touches on the development of lithography as a means to widely distribute artistic and archaeological representations.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Maria Denman

Artist

Maria Denman

Maria Denman (1829–1829) was an artist.

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