French, 'The Temple of Vesta at Tivoli seen from the Gorge', late 18th century
About the work
Overview
Situated on the edge of the cliff dominating the valley below Tivoli, is the famous antique Temple of Vesta, commonly known as the Temple of the Tiburtine Sibyl. This small circular building, dating from the last years of the Roman Republic, was converted into a church known as Santa Maria della Rotonda in the Middle Ages. It was admired from the 17th century onwards as a fine example of antique architecture.
The artist who painted this dramatic composition has still not been conclusively identified, although Louis Gauffier (1761 - 1801) has been suggested.
Key facts
Details
- Full title
- The Temple of Vesta at Tivoli seen from the Gorge
- Artist
- French
- Date made
- late 18th century
- Medium and support
- Oil on paper laid on canvas
- Dimensions
- 28.7 × 18.7 cm
- Acquisition credit
- The Gere Collection, on long-term loan to the National Gallery
- Inventory number
- L828
- Location
- On loan: Gere Collection Paintings to the Ashmolean (2024 - 2026), The Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology, Oxford, UK
- Image copyright
- The Gere Collection, on long-term loan to the National Gallery, © Private collection 2000. Used by permission
- Collection
- Main Collection
About this record
If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.