# Arches of the Larger Baths at Hadrian's Villa

**Charles Michel-Ange Challe** (French, 1718–1778)  
c. 1748  
black chalk and white chalk with stumping on light brown laid paper, with later framing line in brown ink  
overall: 30.5 x 47.5 cm (12 x 18 11/16 in.)

Courtesy National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1999.19.2. [The museum's record](https://www.nga.gov/collection/art-object-page.109727.html).

## About this work

Charles Michel-Ange Challe drew this in about 1748, aged 30. It is now at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC.

### What you’re looking at

The image shows an ancient ruin with arches and crumbling stonework surrounded by overgrown vegetation. The horizon is slightly elevated, emphasizing the towering remnants of the architecture. Expressive brushstrokes and textures are notable, especially in the vines and leaves on the stone. The color palette is subdued, mainly earthy tones and black, creating contrast and suggesting openings into the distance, enhancing the old, abandoned feel of the ruins.

_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.

### [Charles Michel-Ange Challe](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/charles-michel-ange-challe)

French, 1718–1778

## Facts

- Type: Drawing
- The artist was 30
- Real size: about 12 × 19 in (31 × 48 cm). The 16 × 20 in print is close to life size.
- Century: 18th century
- Subjects: exterior, Ruins, Rome
- Colour: grey
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1644.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1644/1920.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/arches-of-the-larger-baths-at-hadrian-s-villa-nga-109727).