View of the Villa Medici and Sta Trinità dei Monti from Ingres's Studio in the Pavillon San Gaetano, Rome 1819

Achille Etna Michallon drew this pencil on paper artwork depicting a view from the window of French Neoclassical painter Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres's studio in Rome. Michallon was Ingres's student, and he pictures the Villa Medici and Sta Trinità dei Monti from Ingres’s studio. This intimate scene provides a glimpse into the world of early 19th-century European artists working in Italy. The open window acts as a frame, offering a view of the Roman landscape and the city's architectural landmarks. The branches of the tree gently swaying in the breeze and the tranquil skyline, offer a sense of calm and contemplation. However, the image is more than just a landscape. It encapsulates the dynamics between teacher and student, and the shared experiences of artists seeking inspiration in a foreign land. What was it like to be a young artist setting out on this journey? This is a space where creativity thrives, and where the past meets the present.