Who painted Part of the Old Appian Way?

Part of the Old Appian Way was painted by Jean-Claude Richard de Saint-Non in 1756.

Where can I see Part of the Old Appian Way?

Part of the Old Appian Way is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Part of the Old Appian Way?

Part of the Old Appian Way is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Part of the Old Appian Way

Jean-Claude Richard de Saint-Non , 1756

Part of the Old Appian Way is a print by the Romanticist artist Jean-Claude Richard de Saint-Non. It dates from 1756 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1756, *Part of the Old Appian Way* is an aquatint print by the Paris‑born artist Jean‑Claude‑Richard de Saint‑Non. The image presents a tranquil stretch of the ancient Roman road, framed within a circular border that includes the artist’s signature and title. The work belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The composition juxtaposes a modest group of figures in the foreground with distant ruins and a stand of trees, the largest tree positioned on the left. By blending natural scenery with the remnants of antiquity, the print suggests a harmonious coexistence of history and landscape, inviting contemplation of the passage of time along the famed Appian Way.

Technique & Style

Saint‑Non employed the relatively new aquatint process, allowing for delicate tonal variations that convey atmospheric light and shadow. The circular format focuses the viewer’s eye toward the central road, while the subtle gradations of ink create a warm, sun‑lit ambience characteristic of mid‑18th‑century French printmaking, hinting at early Romantic sensibilities.

History & Provenance

Although initially intended for ecclesiastical patrons, Saint‑Non pursued a secular artistic career, becoming one of the early practitioners of aquatint in France. The print eventually entered the holdings of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains accessible to scholars and the public as part of the museum’s European prints collection.