Artwork

Eighteen Views of Rome: The Piazza del Popolo (recto)

Eighteen Views of Rome: The Piazza del Popolo (recto), by Lievin Cruyl, 1664
Eighteen Views of Rome: The Piazza del Popolo (recto), by Lievin Cruyl, 1664

Eighteen Views of Rome: The Piazza del Popolo (recto) 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.

About this work

Overview

Eighteen Views of Rome: The Piazza del Popolo is a drawing by Lievin Cruyl, created in 1664, and is now held at The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing depicts the Piazza del Popolo in Rome, capturing the square's activity with horse-drawn carriages, tall buildings, and a central column. Labels throughout the scene identify various elements, suggesting a blend of artistic representation and cartographic detail.

Technique & Style

The scene is rendered with a high level of detail, incorporating tiny figures such as workers and horses to create a sense of realism. A building under construction on the left side is shown with scaffolding, adding to the drawing's informative quality.

Context

This drawing is characteristic of the Baroque period's interest in detailed cityscapes, reflecting the era's fascination with urban environments and their representation.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Lievin Cruyl

Artist

Lievin Cruyl

Lievin Cruyl or Lieven Cruyl was a Flemish priest and a draughtsman and etcher of landscapes, seascapes, and architectural views.

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