Who painted Fontaine de Jardin Borghese?

Fontaine de Jardin Borghese was painted by Jean-Baptiste Isabey in 1822.

Where can I see Fontaine de Jardin Borghese?

Fontaine de Jardin Borghese is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Fontaine de Jardin Borghese?

Fontaine de Jardin Borghese is associated with Romanticism.

Can I buy a print of Fontaine de Jardin Borghese?

Museum-quality prints of Fontaine de Jardin Borghese are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Fontaine de Jardin Borghese

Jean-Baptiste Isabey , 1822

Fontaine de Jardin Borghese is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Jean-Baptiste Isabey. It dates from 1822 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:upper center: 21 / ROME; lower left: Mai 1822; lower right: J. Isabey; lower center: Fontaine du Jardin Borghese / Imprimé par Villain

About this work

Overview

Jean‑Baptiste Isabey’s 1822 lithograph presents a tranquil view of the Borghese Gardens in Rome, centered on a modest fountain whose water streams into a shallow basin. The composition includes slender trees with rounded crowns and a few figures in contemporary attire, creating a serene, slightly idealized landscape that reflects early 19th‑century tastes for classical scenery.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures a cultivated garden setting, emphasizing the harmony between architecture and nature typical of the Borghese estate. By focusing on a simple water feature amid mature foliage, Isabey underscores the period’s fascination with picturesque yet orderly environments, suggesting a leisurely, contemplative experience for the viewer.

Technique & Style

Executed in lithography on wove paper, the image employs a fluid, sketch‑like line that softens details and lends a dreamlike quality. Isabey’s handling of tonal variation through delicate shading demonstrates the medium’s capacity for nuanced atmospheric effects, marking an early French adoption of the lithographic process.

History & Provenance

Created during the First Empire and Restoration era, the print belongs to the initial phase of French lithography, a medium that Isabey actively promoted. While the original paper’s ownership history is not fully documented, the work has been referenced in several 19th‑century catalogues of the artist’s prints.