Caprarola, Public Fountain
Artist
François Debret
(French, 1777 - 1850)
CultureFrench
Dateca. 1810
MediumPen and watercolor on paper
Dimensions14 3/4 × 11 3/8 in. (37.5 × 28.9 cm)
Signed“Dessin fait par F.ois Debret” written at bottom of sheet
InscribedThe name “Caprarola” is indicated at the top of the sheet. A little annotation in pencil, presumably added later, reads “prov. de Rome Chateau costrui par Vignola au XVI par le card. Farnese”. At the bottom of the sheet the caption reads: “Fontaine Publique. Nº 2 au plan topographique. Adjacent to the name, the annotation continues in pencil by a later hand “1777 – 1850 archit. membre…”
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number2024.6
On View
Not on viewVarious measurements are also indicated across the sheet. The coat of arms of Cardinal Farnese are shown on the fountain.
The finely finished watercolor reflects Debret’s skill as a draftsman and the high-level training he received under Percier and Fontaine. Remarkable attention is shown to the various materials, such as the flaking plaster, plants growing from the cracks, the bricks, and the stone, as well as the effects of light and shade. All are an indication of Debret’s training as an architect.
