Artwork
A Grotto (The Stables of the Villa Maecenas, Tivoli?)
A Grotto (The Stables of the Villa Maecenas, Tivoli?) is a graphite drawing by the Baroque artist Francis Place. It dates from 1700 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. A Grotto (The Stables of the Villa Maecenas, Tivoli?
About this work
Overview
A Grotto (The Stables of the Villa Maecenas, Tivoli?) is a drawing created around 1700 by Francis Place, an English artist known for his work in various mediums, including engraving and pottery.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a weathered, grotto-like structure, possibly the stables of the Villa Maecenas in Tivoli, blending architectural and natural elements in a rough, uneven landscape.
Technique & Style
Executed in pen and brown ink with brown wash over graphite on laid paper, the drawing features quick, sketchy lines and dark washes that convey texture, suggesting a rapid study rather than a finished work.
History & Provenance
The drawing is now held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francis Place (1647 – 21 September 1728) was an English gentleman draughtsman, potter, engraver and printmaker, active mainly in York.
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Landscape with Ruins
Roman Walls
An Ancient Wall with a Ruined Gate
Landscape with a Cottage and a Large Tree
The Baths of Caracalla, Rome
My Farm
The Spring at l'Orsière