Artwork

View from My Window in Rome (recto)

View from My Window in Rome (recto), by Carl Ludwig Tischbein, 1819
View from My Window in Rome (recto), by Carl Ludwig Tischbein, 1819

View from My Window in Rome (recto) is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Carl Ludwig Tischbein. It dates from 1819 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.
1974.21.a
Credit line
Lawrence Hitchcock Fund

About this work

Overview

Carl Ludwig Tischbein’s early‑19th‑century drawing presents a view seen through the artist’s own window in Rome. The composition captures a modest rooftop scene, with weathered walls, tangled vegetation and a small cat perched on a ledge, all enclosed within the rectangular frame of the window opening.

Subject & Meaning

The work offers a quiet glimpse of everyday urban life beyond the artist’s studio, juxtaposing the solidity of ancient stone walls with the organic growth of garden plants. The presence of the cat adds a domestic touch, suggesting a moment of stillness amid the bustling cityscape.

Technique & Style

Executed with swift, gestural lines, the drawing conveys immediacy, as if completed in a single sitting. Tischbein employs a soft, atmospheric blending reminiscent of sfumato, allowing edges to dissolve subtly and giving the scene a muted, contemplative mood.

History & Provenance

Created while Tischbein was residing in Rome, the piece reflects the broader practice of northern European artists who gathered in the city to study its ruins and light. The drawing remains a testament to his personal observation of the Roman environment during his stay.

View from My Window in Rome (recto) Soldier in a Landscape (verso)
View from My Window in Rome (recto) Soldier in a Landscape (verso), Carl Ludwig Tischbein

Artist & collection

Portrait of Carl Ludwig Tischbein

Artist

Carl Ludwig Tischbein

Carl Ludwig Tischbein (1797–1855) was a German artist, born in Dessau.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted View from My Window in Rome (recto)?

View from My Window in Rome (recto) was painted by Carl Ludwig Tischbein in 1819.

Where can I see View from My Window in Rome (recto)?

View from My Window in Rome (recto) is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is View from My Window in Rome (recto)?

View from My Window in Rome (recto) is associated with Romanticism.