Artwork
Temple of Clitumnus

Temple of Clitumnus is a photography by the Impressionist artist Robert Macpherson. It dates from 1857 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1988.190
- Credit line
- John L. Severance Fund
About this work
Overview
Temple of Clitumnus is a photograph by Robert Macpherson, a Scottish artist active in Rome during the 19th century.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts the ancient Temple of Clitumnus, a classical ruin in the Italian countryside, showcasing Macpherson's focus on documenting historic sites.
Technique & Style
The photograph captures the temple's stone structure, with a small porch and columns, surrounded by lush vegetation, and highlights the play of light on the stone surface.
History & Provenance
Created around 1857, the work reflects Macpherson's career at the intersection of painting and early photography, contributing to the documentation of Italian landscapes and antiquities.
Artist & collection
Artist
Robert Turnbull Macpherson (27 February 1814 – 17 November 1872) was a Scottish artist and photographer who worked in Rome, Italy, in the 19th century.













