Artwork
View of Lateran, Rome

View of Lateran, Rome is an unspecified painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Lievin Cruyl. It dates from 1672 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts an urban view of Rome centered on the Lateran complex, featuring identifiable architecture such as an obelisk and surrounding buildings.
The work depicts an urban view of Rome centered on the Lateran complex, featuring identifiable architecture such as an obelisk and surrounding buildings. Created by Lievin Cruyl in 1672, it functions as a topographical record of the site, capturing the physical presence of these structures rather than an allegorical narrative. The subject focuses on the visual documentation of the Lateran area, with the obelisk and adjacent buildings as key landmarks, prioritizing accurate rendering of the city's layout over symbolic meaning.
Technique & Style
View of Lateran, Rome is a seventeenth-century work by Lievin Cruyl, created in 1672. It measures approximately 8.4 by 14.2 (units recorded in the catalogue) and depicts the Lateran obelisk, surrounding buildings, and the cityscape arranged within a balanced framework. The piece belongs to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Robert Lehman Collection.
Technical details such as the support material or current conservation state are not specified in the available documentation.
History & Provenance
View of Lateran, Rome is a work by the Flemish artist Lievin Cruyl, dated 1672, depicting the Lateran obelisk and surrounding structures. It was owned by the collector Robert Lehman, whose holdings formed the Robert Lehman Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, where the work is now held. The view reflects Cruyl's documented activity in Rome during this period and aligns with his broader output of topographical views. No specific accession number or exhibition history is documented in the available sources.
Overview
This painting, titled View of Lateran, Rome, was created by Lievin Cruyl in 1672. It offers a detailed depiction of a Roman cityscape, centering on a prominent architectural complex. The work is currently part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, providing a historical glimpse into the urban landscape of 17th-century Rome.
Artist & collection
Artist
Lievin Cruyl or Lieven Cruyl was a Flemish priest and a draughtsman and etcher of landscapes, seascapes, and architectural views.


















