Artwork

Picturesque and Romantic Journeys in Old France: Auvergne (vol. II): Pesteil Chateau at Polminhac, Plate 202

Picturesque and Romantic Journeys in Old France: Auvergne (vol. II): Pesteil Chateau at Polminhac, Plate 202 is a print by the Romanticist artist Eugène Isabey. It dates from 1832 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Eugène Isabey's *Pesteil Chateau at Polminhac, Plate 202* (1832) is a lithographic print from the series *Picturesque and Romantic Journeys in Old France: Auvergne (vol. II)*, capturing a serene yet dynamic French countryside scene.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts the Pesteil Chateau at Polminhac, set within a quiet village. Foreground elements—a broken wooden cart and a small stone house—contrast with the towering chateau, evoking a sense of everyday life alongside historic grandeur.

Technique & Style

Isabey employed a focus on textures to add depth: rough-hewn wood, smooth stone, and uneven terrain. The stormy sky enhances the Romantic ambiance, characteristic of the style's emphasis on emotion and natural beauty.

History & Provenance

Created in 1832 as part of a multi-volume series, this work contributes to a broader documentation of France's historic sites during the Romantic era.

Context

Part of *Picturesque and Romantic Journeys in Old France*, this piece reflects the era's interest in exploring and preserving the nation's cultural and architectural heritage through art.

Artist & collection

Artist

Eugène Isabey

Eugène Louis Gabriel Isabey (French pronunciation: ; 22 July 1803 – 25 April 1886) was a French painter, lithographer and watercolorist in the Romantic style.