An Aqueduct Near a Fortress
Jean-Victor Bertin·1807
Historical Context
Bertin's Aqueduct Near a Fortress, painted in 1807, depicts the kind of classical architectural ruin in a landscape setting that was a staple of the historical landscape genre. These subjects combined the study of ancient Roman engineering with the Romantic appreciation of ruins as symbols of time's passage. Bertin, who taught landscape painting at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, instilled in his students the importance of studying architecture and classical antiquity alongside nature.
Technical Analysis
The oil-on-fabric technique renders the massive aqueduct with architectural precision while the surrounding landscape is treated with softer, more atmospheric brushwork. Bertin's balanced composition places the structure asymmetrically, creating visual interest through the contrast of man-made geometry and natural forms.
Provenance
Harari & Johns, London (with Matthiesen Fine Art, London, and John Lishawa). Purchased by the CMA in 1985.
