Jean-Jacques de Boissieu
The Ponte Lucano
1772
In 1765, Jean-Jacques de Boissieu accompanied the young Duke Alexandre de la Rochefoucauld to Italy. This trip fuelled the artist's imagination, and for years after his return he produced etchings based on his travel sketches. This one is dedicated to his patron Duke Alexandre. The Ponte Lucano lies between Rome and Tivoli, at the point where the old Roman road, the Via Tiburtina, crosses the river Aniene. It was built to commemorate the victory of the Romans over the Lucanians, from which it derives its name. The squat, cylindrical structure adjacent to the bridge is the tomb of the Plautii, built about A.D. 15.
Artist
Title
The Ponte Lucano
Date
1772
Medium
Print
Materials
etching on laid paperDimensions
29.6 x 43.3 cm; plate: 28 x 41.6 cm
Nationality
French
Credit line
Purchased 1992
Accession number
36776
