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Italian Garden with Cypresses

ca. 1775-85
Not on view
Returned to lender
This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.
Reminiscences of Italy continued to inspire park landscapes well into Fragonard’s late years. This dreamlike view, composed of translucent veils of brown wash over spare black chalk lines, recalls the massive cypresses at the Villa d’Este in Tivoli, adding a whimsical fountain to the central axis. Water cascades down a set of stone steps and transforms at the base into a meandering brook. Peasants occupy the foreground, while more elegant figures stroll on the sloping lawn.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Italian Garden with Cypresses
  • Artist: Jean Honoré Fragonard (French, Grasse 1732–1806 Paris)
  • Date: ca. 1775-85
  • Medium: Brush and brown wash with touches of white gouache over black chalk
  • Dimensions: 17 1/2 × 13 1/8 in. (44.5 × 33.3 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Private collection
  • Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints