Who painted Cliffs with a Waterfall at Tivoli?

Cliffs with a Waterfall at Tivoli was painted by Claude Thiénon in 1809.

Where can I see Cliffs with a Waterfall at Tivoli?

Cliffs with a Waterfall at Tivoli is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Cliffs with a Waterfall at Tivoli?

Cliffs with a Waterfall at Tivoli is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Cliffs with a Waterfall at Tivoli

Claude Thiénon , 1809

Cliffs with a Waterfall at Tivoli is a chalk drawing by the Romanticist artist Claude Thiénon. It dates from 1809 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Claude Thiénon’s 1809 drawing, titled Cliffs with a Waterfall at Tivoli, is executed in black chalk on laid paper. The composition presents a steep rock face pierced by a cascading waterfall, with a modest structure perched atop the cliff and foliage framing the left side of the scene.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures a naturalistic view of a waterfall descending over rugged cliffs, a motif common in early 19th‑century landscape art that emphasizes the sublime power of nature. The inclusion of a building suggests human presence within an otherwise untamed environment, hinting at the coexistence of civilization and the natural world.

Technique & Style

Thiénon employs fine black chalk strokes to delineate the texture of stone and the movement of water, creating a layered sense of depth. The medium’s tonal range allows for subtle contrasts between illuminated surfaces and shadowed recesses, while the laid paper surface contributes a slight grain that enhances the drawing’s atmospheric quality.

History & Provenance

Created in 1809, the drawing reflects the period’s growing interest in detailed topographical studies and the Romantic fascination with dramatic landscapes. Although specific ownership records are limited, the piece is documented as part of Thiénon’s oeuvre of early 19th‑century French landscape drawings.