Ancient Ruins: Ancient Aqueduct

1756

Jean-Claude-Richard de Saint-Non

Jean-Claude-Richard de Saint-Non (French, 1727–1791)

Prints

Ancient Ruins: Ancient Aqueduct, 1756. Jean-Claude-Richard de Saint-Non (French, 1727–1791), after Jean Baptiste Le Prince (French, 1734–1781). Etching; platemark: 27.2 x 23.7 cm (10 11/16 x 9 5/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland 1927.331

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Saint-Non, Jean Claude Richard de
Classification: Print
Formatted Medium: etching
Medium: etching
Dimensions: Platemark: 27.2 x 23.7 cm (10 11/16 x 9 5/16 in.)
Inscribed: Inscription: Saint-Non became a priest in deference to his parents' wishes, but from 1752 his interest turned to art, and he began to etch in 1753. He went to Italy in the 1750s to study classical monuments, sculpture, and the landscape-a necessary trip for artistic training in the 18th century. This image of an ancient Roman aqueduct demonstrates the taste for representations of picturesque ruins. The grass-covered monument, centered in the decorative oval composition, is identified in a clever manner: "Aquedott del Acqua Claudia" is inscribed on the large piece of stonework discovered by the trio of soldiers at the lower right.
Departments: Prints
Accession Number: 1927.331
Credit Line: Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland
Exhibitions: French Prints and Drawings in the Age of the Bourbons, 1589-1792, Inventive Impressions: 18th- and 19-Century French Prints, The Cleveland Museum of Art; 8/26/01-10/28/01. "Inventive Impressions: 18th- and 19th-Century French Prints".
Rights Statement: CC0