Artwork Page for The Artist in His Room at the Villa Medici, Rome

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The Artist in His Room at the Villa Medici, Rome

1817

Léon Cogniet

(French, 1794–1880)
Culture
France, 19th century
Medium
oil on canvas
Measurements
Framed: 58 x 51 x 7.5 cm (22 13/16 x 20 1/16 x 2 15/16 in.); Unframed: 44.5 x 37 cm (17 1/2 x 14 9/16 in.)
Credit Line
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund 1978.51
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print
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Did You Know?

In 1817, Léon Cogniet won the Prix de Rome for history painting, allowing him to live and work in the city for five years. The helmet, shield, and swords seen at left refer to the expectation that Cogniet would produce a history painting each year to send back to Paris for review.

Description

Léon Cogniet was one of many artists who traveled from across Europe to Rome during the early 19th century, drawing upon the city’s ancient past and its surrounding landscape for inspiration. In this formally composed scene, the artist stands within his studio, its walls bare and colorless in contrast to the dramatic light cast through his open window.
A vertically oriented oil painting depicts a man with a light skin tone standing in a tall, gray room. Center right, he leans against a white-covered bed, reading a book. A large central window reveals a bright landscape of rolling hills. At left, a wooden desk with papers sits beneath hanging armor. A guitar hangs from the wall at far right. Light from the window illuminates the man's figure against the shadows.

The Artist in His Room at the Villa Medici, Rome

1817

Léon Cogniet

(French, 1794–1880)
France, 19th century

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