Who painted Brickwork in Rimini?

Brickwork in Rimini was painted by John Russell Pope in 1898.

Where can I see Brickwork in Rimini?

Brickwork in Rimini is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Brickwork in Rimini?

Brickwork in Rimini is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Brickwork in Rimini?

Museum-quality prints of Brickwork in Rimini are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Brickwork in Rimini

John Russell Pope , 1898

Brickwork in Rimini is a graphite drawing by the Impressionist artist John Russell Pope. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower right in graphite: Brickwork in Rimini. / John Russell Pope. / 1/4" = 1 foot; upper right in graphite, circled: 16.

About this work

Overview

John Russell Pope’s drawing titled Brickwork in Rimini dates from around 1898. Executed in graphite, the work records a modest brick structure with a flat roof and a small window, rendered in a sketch‑like manner. The composition includes a frontal view and a supplementary side view, allowing the viewer to perceive the building’s form from two angles.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing captures an ordinary brick building in the Italian city of Rimini, focusing on the interplay of light across its façade. By emphasizing the way illumination darkens certain brick surfaces, Pope investigates the visual qualities of everyday architecture, using the study as a means to understand how light defines volume and texture in built forms.

Technique & Style

Pope employed swift, light graphite strokes to suggest the brick pattern rather than delineate each unit. The lines are deliberately loose, conveying the overall mass of the walls while leaving much to the viewer’s imagination. The study’s unfinished character reflects a practice of rapid observation, typical of architectural sketching in the late nineteenth century.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1898, the drawing belongs to a period when Pope was developing his architectural interests before turning to larger commissions. It remains part of his early sketchbooks, which document his travels and studies of European structures. The work has been referenced in catalogues of Pope’s preparatory drawings, illustrating his formative approach to architectural representation.