Artwork

Eighteen Views of Rome: The Piazza Farnese (recto); Cartouche (verso)

Eighteen Views of Rome: The Piazza Farnese (recto); Cartouche (verso) is a drawing by the Baroque artist Lievin Cruyl. It dates from 1664 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. This drawing by Lieven Cruyl depicts the Piazza Farnese in Rome, a prominent square surrounded by notable architecture.

About this work

Overview

This drawing by Lieven Cruyl depicts the Piazza Farnese in Rome, a prominent square surrounded by notable architecture. The work was created as a preparatory study for an etching.

Subject & Meaning

The Piazza Farnese features the Palazzo Farnese, a grand palace with a distinctive third story and protruding cornice designed by Michelangelo. The square is framed by two tall fountains and captures the essence of a bustling Roman scene.

Technique & Style

The drawing showcases Cruyl's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that utilizes contrasting light and dark to create a sense of depth and dimensionality. The artist's skillful rendering of stone and shadow gives the scene a vivid, three-dimensional quality.

History & Provenance

The drawing was made for Roman publisher Giovanni Battista de Rossi, as part of a series of emblematic views of Rome. Ten of these drawings were published as etchings in 1666.