Achille Michallon
Ruins of the Theatre of Taormina
1821
Physical Qualities
Oil on canvas, 14 3/8 x 18 1/4 in. (36.5 x 46.4 cm.)
Credit Line
The George A. Lucas Collection, purchased with funds from the State of Maryland, Laurence and Stella Bendann Fund, and contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations throughout the Baltimore community
Object Number
1996.45.200
This romantic composition shows the Greco-Roman theatre at
Taormina on the island of Sicily with its mountainous terrain. The
vaporous cloud formations hovering above the peak in the distance
suggest that it is the volcano Mount Etna. The son of a sculptor,
Michallon began his artistic studies in Paris with the leading
neoclassical painter Jacques-Louis David. His initial works reflect an
earlier tradition of recording panoramic landscape views in careful
detail. In 1817, Michallon became the first recipient of the prestigious
Prix de Rome and spent the next three years traveling throughout Italy,
painting the countryside with its ancient ruins. Returning to Paris in
1821, he opened a studio that was frequented by Camille Corot.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by purchase, 1996; The Maryland Institute College of Art,
through Henry Walters, Baltimore, by bequest 1909; from George A. Lucas, Paris
through Henry Walters, Baltimore, by bequest 1909; from George A. Lucas, Paris
The Maryland Institute, Baltimore, "Exhibition of the George A. Lucas Art Collection", 1911.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, "From Ingres to Gauguin", November 13-December 31, 1951.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, "The George A. Lucas Collection of the Maryland Institute", October 12-November 21, 1965.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Nineteenth Century European Painting", June 24-September 7, 1969.
Shepherd Gallery, Associates, New York, NY, "The Forest of Fontainebleau: Refuge of Reality", April 21-June 10, 1972.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Parallels and Precedents, The George A. Lucas Collection in Context", August 23- October 15, 1995.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Nature Revealed: Landscapes and Still Lifes from the George A. Lucas Collection", circulated to Government House, Annapolis, November 15, 2000-January 23, 2001.
Sona Johnston, The Baltimore Museum of Art, "A View Toward Paris: The Lucas Collection of 19th-Century French Art", October 1, 2006-December 31, 2006.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, "From Ingres to Gauguin", November 13-December 31, 1951.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, "The George A. Lucas Collection of the Maryland Institute", October 12-November 21, 1965.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Nineteenth Century European Painting", June 24-September 7, 1969.
Shepherd Gallery, Associates, New York, NY, "The Forest of Fontainebleau: Refuge of Reality", April 21-June 10, 1972.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Parallels and Precedents, The George A. Lucas Collection in Context", August 23- October 15, 1995.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, "Nature Revealed: Landscapes and Still Lifes from the George A. Lucas Collection", circulated to Government House, Annapolis, November 15, 2000-January 23, 2001.
Sona Johnston, The Baltimore Museum of Art, "A View Toward Paris: The Lucas Collection of 19th-Century French Art", October 1, 2006-December 31, 2006.
"Exhibition of the George A. Lucas Art Collection," Baltimore: The Maryland Institute, 1911, cat. #212.
"From Ingres to Gauguin," Baltimore: The Baltimore Museum of Art, 1951, cat. #19, ill. p. 19.
"The George A. Lucas Collection of the Maryland Institute," Baltimore: The Baltimore Museum of Art, 1965, cat. #198.
"The Forest of Fontainebleau: Refuge of Reality," New York: Shepherd Gallery, 1972, cat. #7, ill.
Inscribed: RECTO: BL, 'Michallon/Rome 1821'. VERSO, FRAME: CL, 'Succession G.A. Lucas...'; CL, 'BMA cat./1965/#198'. VERSO, PAINTING: UR, 'MICHALLON - 1795-1822 -/Les Ruines du theatre de TAORNENE (Sicile)/Study after nature/Michallon was the friend and first master of Corot-/...'
