Artwork

Rovine cagionate in Tivoli, dall'escrescenza dell'Aniene (Tivoli Damaged by the Flood of the River Aniene)

Rovine cagionate in Tivoli, dall'escrescenza dell'Aniene (Tivoli Damaged by the Flood of the River Aniene) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Johann Christian Reinhart. It dates from 1826 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:lower center in plate:Rovine cagionate in Tivoli, dall'escrescenza dell'Aniene; lower right in plate: C. Reinhart fec 1826

About this work

Overview

Rovine cagionate in Tivoli, dall'escrescenza dell'Aniene, an 1826 etching on laid paper by Johann Christian Reinhart, captures the aftermath of a devastating flood of the Aniene River in Tivoli, Italy.

Subject & Meaning

The etching depicts a small town on a steep cliff, with its lower edge damaged by the flooded river. Figures observe the destruction, while a ruined bridge and walls testify to the disaster's impact, highlighting the human experience of natural disasters in the 19th century.

Technique & Style

As a key figure in German Romantic classical landscape painting, Reinhart employed etching techniques to convey dramatic contrast and detail, characteristic of the movement's emphasis on nature's power.

History & Provenance

Created in 1826 by Johann Christian Reinhart, this work reflects his contribution to the German Romantic landscape tradition, alongside Joseph Anton Koch.

Context

The etching offers a rare glimpse into how floods affected daily life in the 1800s, showcasing the vulnerability of communities to natural disasters during this period.

Legacy

This piece exemplifies the use of etching in 19th-century art to document and reflect on catastrophic events, influencing the representation of nature's impact on human settlements.

The Fountains of Rome (Le fontane di Roma), Book IV, plate 27: View of the Principal Cascade of the River Aniene in the City of Tivoli (Veduta della Cascata Principale del Fiume Aniene nelle citta di Tivoli), Giovanni Francesco Venturini

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Artist & collection

Artist

Johann Christian Reinhart

Johann Christian Reinhart (24 January 1761 – 9 June 1847) was a German painter and engraver. He was one of the founders, along with Joseph Anton Koch, of German romantic classical landscape painting.