1625
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Ruins of an Aqueduct is a 1625 ink by Jean Morin, a Baroque work, depicting Ruins, held at National Gallery of Art.
This engraving shows an old stone aqueduct partly crumbling against a cloudy sky. The broken arches rise from grass and rocks, shadows sharp under the gray light. Tiny figures walk below—just dots compared to the huge ruins. It feels quiet but grand. The cracks and gaps in the stone make you wonder how long it’s stood there. Drypoint lines dig deep, so the shadows look almost real. The lines are so precise they almost fool your eye. Look for the tiny scratches near the arches.
Jean Morin (c.1595 or 1605 – 1650) was a French baroque painter, printmaker, painter, etcher, engraver and publisher.
See the richer artist page
