Artwork

A View of the Vestibule of Saint Mary at Rome

A View of the Vestibule of Saint Mary at Rome, by Georges Francois Blondel, 1766
A View of the Vestibule of Saint Mary at Rome, by Georges Francois Blondel, 1766

A View of the Vestibule of Saint Mary at Rome is a print by the Romanticist artist Georges Francois Blondel. It dates from 1766 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.
2022.131

About this work

Overview

A View of the Vestibule of Saint Mary at Rome is a print by George-Francois Blondel, a French artist who settled in London after spending several years in Italy.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a grand church hallway, likely imagined or recalled from memory, with columns lining the sides and stretching up into shadows, evoking a sense of depth and grandeur.

Technique & Style

Blondel employed mezzotint, a technique that creates smooth, dark tonal areas, to achieve a sense of depth and atmosphere in the print, with some impressions printed in sepia ink for special patrons.

History & Provenance

The print is part of a series of eight published in 1766, and the CMA holds a set that includes two sepia impressions.

Artist & collection

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 A View of the Vestibule of Saint Mary at Rome?

A View of the Vestibule of Saint Mary at Rome was painted by Georges Francois Blondel in 1766.

Where can I see A View of the Vestibule of Saint Mary at Rome?

A View of the Vestibule of Saint Mary at Rome is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is A View of the Vestibule of Saint Mary at Rome?

A View of the Vestibule of Saint Mary at Rome is associated with Romanticism.