Walls of Rome with Santa Maria del Popolo in the Distance 1744 - 1750

Joseph Marie Vien sketched "Walls of Rome with Santa Maria del Popolo in the Distance," using graphite on paper. This drawing presents a scene dominated by architectural forms softened by nature. The composition is structured around a contrast between the solid geometry of the buildings and the organic shapes of the trees. Vien employs line to define the forms, creating depth through variations in the density and direction of his strokes. Notice how the buildings, including Santa Maria del Popolo in the background, are rendered with a precise linearity that contrasts with the looser, more textured depiction of the foliage. This contrast serves to highlight the interplay between human construction and the natural landscape. The drawing invites us to reflect on the relationship between the observer and the landscape. It is a study in contrasts and invites multiple readings, revealing Vien’s interest in structure and form.