Artwork
Udsigt over Tiberen i nærheden af den sammenstyrtede bro Ponte Rotto i Rom
Udsigt over Tiberen i nærheden af den sammenstyrtede bro Ponte Rotto i Rom is an oil painting by the German Romanticist artist Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg. It dates from 1815 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a view of the Tiber River in Rome, specifically near the site of the collapsed ancient bridge known as Ponte Rotto.
The painting depicts a view of the Tiber River in Rome, specifically near the site of the collapsed ancient bridge known as Ponte Rotto. As an architectural painting that also functions as a genre scene, the composition incorporates the river landscape alongside human figures, including a woman, to animate the setting. The background features the church of Santa Maria del Priorato, grounding the scene in a recognizable topographical reality.
By combining specific Roman landmarks with everyday activity, the work represents a direct observation of the city's environment during the early 19th century, blending the documentation of ruins with scenes of contemporary life.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas in 1815, the work exemplifies the refined handling typical of Eckersberg’s plein-air practice in Rome, where he carefully balanced atmospheric effects with architectural clarity.
The composition foregrounds the ruined Ponte Rotto against the Tiber, rendered with precise linear definition yet softened by a muted, silvery tonality. Brushwork remains restrained, favoring smooth transitions and subtle glazes to model light on the water and masonry. Stylistically, the painting aligns with Danish Golden Age landscape traditions, merging topographical fidelity with a subdued, luminous palette that evokes contemporary Northern European plein-air studies.
History & Provenance
The painting was created in 1815 by Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg. Executed in oil on canvas, the work depicts a view of the Tiber River near the collapsed bridge Ponte Rotto in Rome, featuring architectural elements such as Santa Maria del Priorato. The Statens Museum for Kunst currently holds the piece in its collection.
Overview
Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg, often recognized as a foundational figure in Danish painting, completed Udsigt over Tiberen i nærheden af den sammenstyrtede bro Ponte Rotto i Rom in 1815. This oil painting captures a tranquil vista of the Roman landscape, featuring the Tiber River and the historic Ponte Rotto. It exemplifies aspects of German Romanticism and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
Artist & collection
Artist
Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg
Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg (2 January 1783 – 22 July 1853) was a Danish painter.
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