Artwork
Waterfall between Chiavenna and Mount Splügen
Waterfall between Chiavenna and Mount Splügen is a drawing by the Romanticist artist Francis Towne. It dates from 1784 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 2012.35
- Credit line
- Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund
About this work
Overview
Waterfall between Chiavenna and Mount Splügen is a drawing by Francis Towne, created during his return journey from Italy to England.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a waterfall cascading down dark rocks, set against a backdrop of jagged mountains and a pale sky. The scene conveys a sense of stillness and quiet, with the waterfall's movement contrasting against the static landscape.
Technique & Style
Towne employed a distinctive style characterized by clear outlines and flat colors, eschewing shadows to achieve a sense of timelessness. This approach, akin to cartographic representation, lends the scene a sense of austere simplicity.
History & Provenance
The drawing was made during Towne's journey over the Alps, specifically as he crossed the Splügen Pass into Switzerland, following a year spent painting in Rome and its environs.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francis Towne (1739 – 7 July 1816) was a British watercolour painter of landscapes that range from the English Lake District to Naples and Rome.
