Rome Italy Ponte Nomentano Drawing in Brown and Blue Grey Wash on Laid Paper

Description

Rome Italy — Ponte Nomentano drawing on J HONIG & ZOON watermarked laid paper.

An antique drawing depicting the fortified Ponte Nomentano over the River Aniene in Rome. Executed in brown and blue-grey washes, this anonymous work probably dates from the late eighteenth century.

The composition places the crenellated buildings of the bridge on the right, overlooking the river. Low buildings on the opposite bank lead the eye towards the distant hills. Small figures near the passage provide a sense of scale and bring life to the architectural setting.

Brown washes define the masonry, openings and shaded surfaces. Cooler blue-grey tones appear in the water and parts of the bridge, contrasting with the areas of paper left untouched to suggest light. The drawing combines architectural detail with a restrained landscape setting.

The laid paper bears the clearly visible watermark J HONIG & ZOON. Photographs taken with transmitted light show both the lettering and the structure of the paper. The watermark is a useful feature for studying the sheet.

The drawing comes from a group of eighteenth-century prints and drawings in our stock that had not previously been studied individually. Its artist remains unidentified, and no attribution to a named artist is proposed.

Details:
• Subject: Ponte Nomentano and the River Aniene in Rome Italy.
• Medium: brown and blue-grey washes on laid paper.
• Watermark: J HONIG & ZOON.
• Artist: unidentified.
• Proposed date: probably late eighteenth century.
• Sheet dimensions: 30.5 × 24 cm.
• Presented unframed.

Condition: minor marks, paper irregularities and creasing. Two small holes are visible in the upper and lower margins. Please examine the photographs of the front, reverse and watermark for a fuller assessment of condition.

An appealing architectural landscape for collectors of antique drawings and historic views of Rome.