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A View near the Arco Scuro, looking towards the Villa Medici, at Rome

1785
Not on view
Towne left Exeter, in southwest England, to visit Italy in 1780–81. After his return, a former student commissioned this Roman view showing a steep road falling away over a hill toward the Villa Medici (now the Académie Française). Towne made a series of sketches along the rural road behind the villa in November 1780 and used one as the basis of this later composition. His interest lay not in famous landmarks but in capturing effects of light falling across overgrown foliage, contrasted with patches of deep shade. Employing an innovative method to create tone, he began with layers of pure color, then moved on to pigments mixed with brown or black. This reversal of the traditional order allowed greater subtlety, particularly in the darks.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: A View near the Arco Scuro, looking towards the Villa Medici, at Rome
  • Artist: Francis Towne (British, Isleworth, Middlesex 1739–1816 Exeter)
  • Date: 1785
  • Medium: Watercolor over graphite with pen and brown ink
  • Dimensions: sheet: 12 13/16 x 18 7/8 in. (32.5 x 48 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Walter and Leonore Annenberg Acquisitions Endowment and Harry G. Sperling Funds, 2010
  • Object Number: 2010.439
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

More Artwork

More Artwork
Near Glaris [Glarus], Switzerland, Francis Towne British, Pen and black ink, brush and gray wash, over traces of graphite
Near Glaris [Glarus], Switzerland
Francis Towne
Manufacturer Paper manufactured by C. & I. Honig
September 2, 1781
Gamba Bow, Wood, British
Gamba Bow
British
first half 18th century
Angel of the Revelation (Book of Revelation, chapter 10), William Blake British, Watercolor, pen and black ink, brush and wash, over traces of graphite
Angel of the Revelation (Book of Revelation, chapter 10)
William Blake
ca. 1803–5
Trees by the lake, Peamore Park, near Exeter, Devon, Francis Towne British, Watercolor over traces of graphite; laid down on original mount
Trees by the lake, Peamore Park, near Exeter, Devon
Francis Towne
1790–1810
Alto Recorder, Joseph Bradbury British, Wood, ivory, British
Alto Recorder
Joseph Bradbury
ca. 1700

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