Artwork
View of the Castello di San Giuliano, near Trapani, Sicily
View of the Castello di San Giuliano, near Trapani, Sicily is an oil painting by the French Romanticist artist Louise-Joséphine Sarazin de Belmont. It dates from 1825 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
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About this work
History & Provenance
Created in 1824 by Louise-Joséphe Sarazin de Belmont, the oil-on-canvas landscape depicts the Castello di San Giuliano near Trapani, Sicily.
Created in 1824 by Louise-Joséphe Sarazin de Belmont, the oil-on-canvas landscape depicts the Castello di San Giuliano near Trapani, Sicily. The work's modern ownership chain begins with its acquisition by Galerie Antoine Laurentin in Paris. It was subsequently purchased in May 1996 by Frank Anderson Trapp (1922–2005) of Pittsburgh.
The painting entered the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., following a gift from Trapp in 2004.
View of the Castello di San Giuliano, near Trapani, Sicily is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C. The work was purchased in May 1996 from Galerie Antoine Laurentin in Paris by the late collector Frank Anderson Trapp of Pittsburgh, who later gifted it to the museum in 2004. Its dimensions measure 22.9 cm by 29.9 cm, and it is catalogued as an oil on canvas landscape painted in 1824 by Louise‑Josephine Sarazin de Belmont. No exhibition records are documented in the sources consulted.
Legacy
View of the Castello di San Giuliano, near Trapani, Sicily, painted by Louise‑Joséphine Sarazin de Belmont in 1824, entered the National Gallery of Art collection in 2004 after a series of private ownership that began with its sale at Galerie Antoine Laurentin in Paris and culminated in a gift from Frank Anderson Trapp. Its presence in a major U.S. museum has prompted scholarly discussion of Mediterranean topography in early Romantic art. The work’s provenance and recent acquisition have reinforced interest in Sarazin de Belmont’s contribution to the landscape genre.
Overview
This painting, titled "View of the Castello di San Giuliano, near Trapani, Sicily," was created by Louise-Joséphine Sarazin de Belmont around 1825. Executed in oil on canvas, the work presents a landscape scene centered on a historic fortification. It captures a specific geographical location, reflecting the artist's interest in depicting natural and architectural subjects from her travels.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features the ancient Castello di San Giuliano perched atop a prominent hill, its stone walls encircling the summit. In the foreground, a solitary figure stands on a rocky outcrop, gazing towards the distant structure, accompanied by grazing sheep and goats. This arrangement evokes a sense of quiet contemplation, suggesting a harmonious relationship between human presence, animal life, and the enduring historical landscape. The overall impression is one of tranquility.
Technique & Style
Sarazin de Belmont rendered this scene using oil paints, employing a palette dominated by warm earth tones, including various browns and tans, contrasted with a clear blue sky dotted with white clouds. This choice of color contributes to the painting's serene atmosphere. The depiction of a dramatic landscape with an ancient ruin and a contemplative figure aligns with characteristics often associated with the Romantic movement, which valued emotion, nature, and historical themes.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Louise-Joséphine Sarazin de Belmont
Louise-Joséphine Sarazin de Belmont (1828–1828) was an artist.
