X
MOV File
Online Collections

The Aqueduct


William Sartain, The Aqueduct, last quarter of 19th century, oil on canvas, Gift of the children of Mrs. C.H. Lewis, public domain, 20.2

This work is not currently on view.

Save to My Collection
Facebook Twitter
Details
Title

The Aqueduct

Artist

William Sartain (American, 1843-1924)

Date

last quarter of 19th century

Medium

oil on canvas

Dimensions (H x W x D)

32 in x 40 in

Inscriptions & Markings

signature: W. Sartain, lower right

Collection Area

American Art

Category

Paintings

Object Type

painting

Culture

American

Credit Line

Gift of the children of Mrs. C.H. Lewis

Accession Number

20.2

Copyright

public domain

Terms

canvas

oil paint

oil paintings

paintings

Description

From 1867 to 1877, Philadelphia-based artist William Sartain traveled abroad and studied in the atelier, or studio, of Léon Bonnat (French, 1833–1922). Sartain, like many of his contemporaries in the nineteenth century, was drawn to exotic locations and non-European cultures that were perceived as exciting and mysterious.

The Aqueduct is probably based on studies made from five months Sartain spent in Algiers sketching and collecting costumes and props. In this work, the form of the aqueduct and the clump of dark trees, balanced by the solitary hooded figure, create a haunting and exotic atmosphere.

History
Exhibitions

1998 The Other Nineteenth Century Portland Art Museum

Related Artworks
Media
IMLS logoNEA logoNEH logo

The Portland Art Museum’s Online Collections site is brought to you thanks to support provided by the State of Oregon through its second Culture, History, Arts, Movies, and Preservation funding program and generous awards from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the National Endowment for the Arts.