Artwork
L'Arc de Triomphe
L'Arc de Triomphe is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jean-Baptiste Rigaud. It dates from 1746 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Jean‑Baptiste Rigaud’s 1746 print, titled L’Arc de Triomphe, combines etching and engraving to depict the famous Parisian monument.
About this work
Overview
Jean‑Baptiste Rigaud’s 1746 print, titled L’Arc de Triomphe, combines etching and engraving to depict the famous Parisian monument. The image presents the arch beneath a turbulent sky, its massive stone arches framed by swirling dark clouds, while diminutive figures move along the foreground, including a solitary man distinguished by a top hat.
Subject & Meaning
The composition emphasizes the monumental scale of the Arc de Triomphe by contrasting its towering structure with the minute scale of passing pedestrians. The stormy atmosphere and fleeting figures suggest a moment of transience against the enduring presence of the monument, hinting at the interplay between historical grandeur and everyday life.
Technique & Style
Rigaud employed drypoint alongside traditional engraving, directly incising lines into a metal plate. This method yields sharp, scratchy edges and a range of tonal values, from deep blacks to pale grays, evident in the cloud formations and stone texture. The reliance on a pre‑existing drawing informs the precise, linear quality of the work.
History & Provenance
Created in 1746, the print is not a direct observation of the Arc but a reproduction of an earlier artist’s drawing. While the original source drawing remains unidentified, Rigaud’s version illustrates the 18th‑century practice of disseminating architectural views through print, allowing broader audiences to encounter Parisian landmarks.
Artist & collection
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Vue Prise de la grande avenue entre les deux Ecuries
L'Obelisque
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Les Domes
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Vue des Ecuries de Versailles Prise de la Seconde Grille
Vue Particuliere de la Chapelle du Chateau deVersailles
Le Théâtre d'Eau
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La Colonade
The Cascades of St. Cloud
Vue du Bassin de Neptune dans le Jardin de Versailles
Vue du Chateau de Trianon du Cote du Parterre
Pool of the Muses at Marli
The Palace Gardens at Nancy
Les Trois Fontaines