The Temple of Vesta and the Falls at Tivoli

Description

A meticulously finished, grand-scale presentation watercolor, this drawing was exhibited in 1859 at the Society of Painters in Water Colours in London. The view was taken from a low vantage point, foregrounding closely observed, moss-covered rocks amid the frothy cascade. Jewel-like, the Temple of Vesta surmounts the imposing cliff, gleaming white against a crisp, blue sky. The majesty of the view is underscored by the presence of nearly imperceptible figures in the far distance hanging linens to dry along the temple wall.

Provenance

Peter and Olive Belton, Leicester (?-2009); (sale, Christie's, London, July 7, 2010, no. 408) (2010); (Stephen Ongpin Fine Art, London, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH) (2010-2011); Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (2011-)

The Temple of Vesta and the Falls at Tivoli

William Callow

1859

Accession Number

2011.4

Medium

watercolor with gouache and graphite underdrawing

Dimensions

Sheet: 75.1 x 57.8 cm (29 9/16 x 22 3/4 in.)

Classification

Drawing

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Sundry Purchase Fund