# Ancient Ruins on the Bank of the Tiber

**Augustin Pajou** (French, 1730–1809)  
1752/1756  
pen and brown ink over black chalk on laid paper  
overall: 18 x 12.3 cm (7 1/16 x 4 13/16 in.)

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1999.75.5.b. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.110206.html).

## About this work

Augustin Pajou drew this in 1752/1756, aged about 22. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

The image shows a sketch of an architectural scene with structures lining a road or pathway. The horizon is not clearly defined, and the sketch focuses on architectural details. The drawing features loose, freehand lines outlining buildings and trees, with classical elements like columns and entablatures. The color palette is monochromatic, with light parchment and dark ink strokes creating contrast. Close-up details are lightly shaded for depth, while distant details are less defined. The composition is open and airy, emphasizing architectural features over precision.

_Description from the National Gallery of Art._

### How it was made

- **Chalk.** Natural black, red and white chalks. Used together on toned paper they could give the warmth of flesh with very little effort, and they were favourites for studies from life.
- **Pen and ink.** Drawn with a quill or reed pen, often with wash added by brush to model light and shadow.
- **Laid paper.** Handmade on a mould of close-set wires, which leave fine parallel lines you can see when the sheet is held to the light.

### [Augustin Pajou](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/augustin-pajou)

French, 1730–1809

## Facts

- Type: Drawing
- The artist was about 22
- Real size: about 7 × 5 in (18 × 12 cm). The original is small: even the 8 × 10 in print shows it larger than life.
- Century: 18th century
- Subjects: Landscape, Italy
- Colour: white
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1647.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1647/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68; 20 × 30 in $86
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164; 20 × 30 in $208
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3; 20 × 30 in $5

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/ancient-ruins-on-the-bank-of-the-tiber-nga-110206).