Châteauvieux-sur-Suran

1848

Antoine-Claude Ponthus-Cinier

(French, 1812–1885)

Culture

France, 19th century

Medium

oil on paper mounted on fabric

Measurements

Unframed: 53.3 x 75.1 cm (21 x 29 9/16 in.)

Credit Line

Bequest of Noah L. Butkin 1980.251

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Location

Not on view

Did You Know?

The son of a merchant, Ponthus-Cinier was one of the principle artists of the School of Lyon and painted neoclassical views of the countryside around Lyon and the Alpine region near the Swiss border.

Description

This view of a ruined building on a rocky cliff in Châteauvieux above the Suran river in the French Alps is constructed in the manner of a classical or ideal landscape. Forms recede at a measured pace along a sinuous, curving path that passes through carefully defined planes of fore, middle, and background. The warm, glowing light and imaginary figures pursuing their daily tasks contribute to the mood of timeless, pastoral bliss.