Artwork Page for Ruins of an Ancient City

Details / Information for Ruins of an Ancient City

Ruins of an Ancient City

c. 1810–20

John Martin

(British, 1789–1854)
Culture
England, 19th century
Medium
oil on paper, mounted on canvas
Measurements
Framed: 118.5 x 142 x 8 cm (46 5/8 x 55 7/8 x 3 1/8 in.); Unframed: 95.6 x 118.6 cm (37 5/8 x 46 11/16 in.)
Credit Line
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund 1981.13
Public Domain
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Location
203B British Painting and Decorative Arts
Print

Description

The painting depicts an imagined scene of a ruined ancient city bathed in the nostalgic glow of twilight. The artist's detailed, almost archeological, interest in these Greek or Roman buildings is characteristic of neoclassicism, although the composition—which plunges suddenly from the foreground into a deep valley—and dramatic lighting are typical of Romantic painting.
A horizontally oriented oil painting depicts ancient ruins. Occupying the left side, dark brown columns and a carved horizontal beam frame the scene. Below, tiny figures in red walk along a shadowed balcony overlooking a sunlit valley containing a circular arena. To our right, a sheer cliff in tan and gray supports a classical temple on its flat summit. Billowing gray and white clouds fill the sky, illuminated from the far left.

Ruins of an Ancient City

c. 1810–20

John Martin

(British, 1789–1854)
England, 19th century

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