Landscape with a TempleЮбер Робер · 1782

Identification of Landscape with a Temple

Landscape with a Temple is an oil on canvas by the French artist Hubert Robert (1733–1808). Created ca. 1765-1800, the work presents an imaginary grouping of ancient monuments from Rome. Robert utilizes a Neoclassical style to organize these disparate architectural elements into a single, cohesive scene.

The composition incorporates the Colosseum and the Pantheon, structures that are geographically separated in the actual city of Rome. Among the various ruins, the painting features a sculpture of a captive barbarian and one of the marble Horse Tamers of Monte Cav. These fragments of antiquity are integrated into a landscape that emphasizes the scale of Roman architecture through the presence of scattered figures.

Composition and Visual Elements

This Neoclassical landscape organizes a collection of ancient monuments into a singular, imaginative arrangement. The composition brings together architectural elements that are geographically separated in reality, including the Colosseum and the Pantheon. By grouping these structures, the work creates a curated vision of the ruins of Rome rather than a literal topographical record. The arrangement relies on the tension between massive, weathered stone and the open space of the sky.

The scene incorporates specific sculptural details to populate the landscape. Among the ruins are a sculpture of a captive barbarian and one of the marble Horse Tamers of Monte Cav. These figures provide a sense of scale against the crumbling masonry. Light and shadow define the textures of the fluted columns and broken arches, emphasizing the physical decay of the site. The interplay of light across the various structures creates a sense of depth within the architectural complex.

Provenance and Collection History

The ownership history of this oil on canvas traces a path from European private collections to American institutions. It was held within the Achille-Fould collection at the Château de Beychevelle near Bordeaux before moving to the United States. In Philadelphia, the work was part of the collection of Samuel W. Pray. Records indicate the piece was held by Acquavella Galleries in 1950, and Samuel W. Pray acquired the work again in 1953.

The painting eventually entered the collection of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. It was later gifted by him to the museum, where it remains a significant part of the permanent holdings.

Current Location and Museum Details

The work is held within the Chrysler Museum of Art, located in Norfolk, United States of America. It is cataloged under object number 81.1. This piece is part of the museum's permanent collection, having been acquired through a gift from Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Visitors can find the painting on view in Gallery 208. The museum's holdings include a diverse range of European masters and various movements, from the Baroque to Contemporary Art. This specific oil on canvas remains a central component of the institution's historical European galleries.