A Distant View of Tivoli
- Artist: Antoine-Victor-Edmond-Madeleine Joinville
- Date: 1824
- Medium: Oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is "A Distant View of Tivoli" by Antoine-Victor-Edmond-Madeleine Joinville. Painted in 1824, the artist's use of oil on canvas gives this work a level of depth and luminosity that really draws you in. The view depicted here was likely sketched from the opposite side of the Temple of Vesta, looking out towards the Villa Maecenas and the Roman countryside beyond.
Notice how the artist has captured the play of light on the water's surface in the Cascatelli Grandi, creating a sense of movement and energy in the scene. The inclusion of specific architectural details suggests that Joinville was interested in accurately recording the landscape as it existed at the time.
It's worth noting that this painting bears the artist's signature and date, which may indicate that he was contemplating selling it when it was created. This adds a fascinating layer of context to our understanding of the artwork, highlighting its value not just as a beautiful composition but also as a reflection of the artistic process itself.
See it in person
A Distant View of Tivoli hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
