Artwork
Cottage on a Rocky Promentory along a River

Cottage on a Rocky Promentory along a River is a print by the Romanticist artist Antoine de Marcenay de Ghuy. It dates from 1778 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1939.589.d
- Credit line
- Gift of Robert Hays Gries
About this work
Overview
Antoine de Marcenay de Ghuy’s 1778 print titled Cottage on a Rocky Promontory along a River depicts a solitary dwelling perched on a craggy outcrop above a flowing river. The composition is rendered entirely in black line work and is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a modest house with a chimney set amid trees on a steep, rocky rise, while a few small boats drift on the water below. The sparse human presence and tranquil atmosphere suggest a contemplative relationship between habitation and the surrounding landscape, evoking a sense of quiet isolation.
Technique & Style
Executed as a monochrome print, the work relies on simple, bold outlines to define forms such as jagged rocks, smooth water surfaces, and the irregular silhouettes of foliage. The emphasis on texture and stark contrast aligns with the Romantic interest in nature’s raw character and emotional resonance.
History & Provenance
Created in 1778, the print entered the holdings of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on display. Its acquisition history beyond the museum’s records is not documented in the available sources.
Artist & collection
Artist
Antoine de Marcenay de Ghuy (1724–1811) was a French artist, born in Paris.


















