Ruïne van de brug van Augustus te Narni, Italië 1761 - 1817

Daniël Dupré made this drawing of the Ruin of the Augustus Bridge at Narni, Italy, most likely with graphite or black chalk and watercolor. Dupré has chosen a paper with a warm tone, and this sets off the cool grays and browns of his palette. The texture of the paper is also important, allowing the graphite to catch on the surface, creating a slightly rough line. This is especially evident in the foreground, where he has used hatching and cross-hatching to build up the tonal range and create a sense of depth. But it is the subject matter that is most evocative here. The ruined bridge speaks of time and decay, but also of the enduring power of human creation. Consider the labor needed to build the original bridge in antiquity, and how it has gradually given way to the forces of nature. Dupré has created a meditation on the relationship between humanity and the natural world, using the simplest of materials.