Who painted Roman Campagna, Nov. 12, 1868 (verso, from sketchbook)?

Roman Campagna, Nov. 12, 1868 (verso, from sketchbook) was painted by Jervis McEntee in 1868.

Where can I see Roman Campagna, Nov. 12, 1868 (verso, from sketchbook)?

Roman Campagna, Nov. 12, 1868 (verso, from sketchbook) is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Roman Campagna, Nov. 12, 1868 (verso, from sketchbook)?

Roman Campagna, Nov. 12, 1868 (verso, from sketchbook) is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Roman Campagna, Nov. 12, 1868 (verso, from sketchbook)

Jervis McEntee , 1868

Roman Campagna, Nov. 12, 1868 (verso, from sketchbook) is a gouache drawing by the Impressionist artist Jervis McEntee. It dates from 1868 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

The blue paper and light touches of white gouache give it a soft, sketchy feel.

This sketch shows a simple line drawing on blue paper. In the center stands a tall, square tower with a flat roof. Below it, a row of evenly spaced trees lines a low wall. To the right, a few buildings with flat roofs sit against a faint horizon.

The artist dated it "Nov. 12, 1868" in the corner, hinting this was a quick outdoor study. The blue paper and light touches of white gouache give it a soft, sketchy feel.

Want to see more? Check out gouache to learn how artists use it for quick, translucent effects.

Overview

Created on November 12, 1868, this study by Jervis McEntee records a view of the Roman Campagna. Executed in graphite with touches of white gouache on blue paper, the work functions as a field sketch rather than a finished composition, capturing the landscape’s basic forms and atmospheric tone.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing presents a modest rural scene: a square, flat‑topped tower rises centrally, flanked by a low wall lined with evenly spaced trees. To the right, a cluster of simple, flat‑roofed structures sits against a faint horizon, suggesting a tranquil, agrarian environment on the outskirts of Rome.

Technique & Style

McEntee employed a restrained graphite line to delineate architecture and foliage, while white gouache highlights the tower and roof planes, creating a subtle contrast against the blue ground. The choice of blue paper imparts a cool, atmospheric quality, typical of quick plein‑air sketches that prioritize compositional layout over detail.

History & Provenance

The piece originates from McEntee’s 1868 sketchbook, a period when the artist traveled through Italy with fellow Hudson River School painters. Though less celebrated than his contemporaries, McEntee’s journals later offered valuable insight into the New York art world of the Gilded Age. The work now belongs to the American Wing collection.

Context

McEntee’s participation in the Hudson River School linked him to a movement focused on naturalistic landscape painting. His Italian studies, such as this Campagna view, reflect the school’s broader interest in European scenery as a source of compositional study and artistic inspiration.