Italy - Umbria, Narni, Bridge of Augustus, Abbey of San Cassiano; Anonimo - Il Ponte di Augusto e l'Abbazia di San Cassiano - 1821-1850

Splendid and evocative original drawing in charcoal and sfumato from the first half of the 19th century, depicting one of the most iconic and celebrated views of the Grand Tour era: the ruins of the monumental Ponte di Augusto in Narni, in the gorge of the Nera River (Umbria). The composition, characterized by excellent perspective rendering and a skilful use of chiaroscuro, shows in the foreground the colossal pilings in Roman-era stone emerging from the water. In the background, the profile of the valley dominated by the ancient Abbey of San Cassiano stands out. As proof of topographic precision, the sheet bears on the back the authentic period inscription “NARNI,” while at the bottom on the front there is a contemporaneous pencil note bearing the name of the mountain monastery complex ("S. Casciano"). A unique work, steeped in the pure romantic spirit of Italian archaeological landscape painting, highly sought after by international collectors.
Dimensions 20.5 x 28.5 cm
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