1747
graphite
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
A Building on a Hill with Saint Peter's in the Distance is a 1747 graphite by Joseph-Marie Vien, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a small wooden building on a hill, with a dome-shaped church in the far background. The hillside is covered in trees and bushes, while the foreground has a rough, rocky texture. A tiny path winds near the building, and a few trees stand on the right side. The dome looks like St. Peter’s Basilica, which was a common subject in European art. The artist used only pencil, making the lines look soft and sketchy. Next, check out the Baroque movement to see more dramatic landscapes like this.
Joseph-Marie Vien (18 June 1716 – 27 March 1809) was a French painter. He was the last holder of the post of Premier peintre du Roi, serving from 1789 to 1791, before it was abolished during the French Revolution.
See the richer artist page
