Artwork

Rainy Night in Rome

Rainy Night in Rome, by Muirhead Bone, 1913
Rainy Night in Rome, by Muirhead Bone, 1913

Rainy Night in Rome is a print by Muirhead Bone. It dates from 1913 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Rainy Night in Rome is a 1913 print by Muirhead Bone, a Scottish artist known for his etchings and watercolours.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a rainy nighttime street scene in Rome, with pedestrians under umbrellas and a horse-drawn cart. A large building with arched windows dominates the right side, its details obscured by darkness.

Technique & Style

Heavy shading creates a sense of depth and atmosphere, conveying the thickness of the rain and the darkness of the shadows. This use of chiaroscuro, a strong contrast between light and dark, adds to the scene's quiet and mysterious mood.

History & Provenance

The print is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection. It exemplifies Bone's skill in capturing atmospheric effects and his contribution to the Etching Revival, a movement that emphasized the artistic potential of etching.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Muirhead Bone

Artist

Muirhead Bone

Sir Muirhead Bone (23 March 1876 – 21 October 1953) was a Scottish etcher and watercolourist who became known for his depiction of industrial and architectural subjects and his work as a war artist in both the First and Second World Wars.

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