1748
chalk
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
The Fishpond at Villa Madama is a 1748 chalk by Joseph-Marie Vien, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a quiet scene of an old stone building with arched doorways and crumbling walls. A small fishpond sits in front, surrounded by a low wall. Trees with tangled branches fill the background, their lines soft and sketchy. The artist used quick, loose strokes to capture light and shadow, making the scene feel alive despite its stillness. This drawing is part of a series made for a villa outside Rome. Next, look up the Baroque movement to see how this style shaped art.
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 pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
