Ruins of an Ancient City

The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Ruins of an Ancient City as painting (England, 19th century · c. 1810–20).

WHY IT’S INTERESTING

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

SERENDIPITYA little unexpected

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A CLOSER LOOK

The museum identifies this painting as oil on paper, mounted on canvas and credits John Martin (British, 1789–1854).

The museum's collection notes: 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.

FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE

The Cleveland Museum of ArtRuins of an Ancient City

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