Artwork
Waterfall between Chiavenna and Mount Splügen
Waterfall between Chiavenna and Mount Splügen is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Francis Towne. It dates from 1784 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Waterfall between Chiavenna and Mount Splügen is a drawing by Francis Towne, created during his return journey from Italy to England.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a waterfall cascading down dark rocks, set against a backdrop of jagged mountains and a pale sky. The scene conveys a sense of stillness and quiet, with the waterfall's movement contrasting against the static landscape.
Technique & Style
Towne employed a distinctive style characterized by clear outlines and flat colors, eschewing shadows to achieve a sense of timelessness. This approach, akin to cartographic representation, lends the scene a sense of austere simplicity.
History & Provenance
The drawing was made during Towne's journey over the Alps, specifically as he crossed the Splügen Pass into Switzerland, following a year spent painting in Rome and its environs.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francis Towne (1739 – 7 July 1816) was a British watercolour painter of landscapes that range from the English Lake District to Naples and Rome.
