Landhuis in de buurt van het Lac Léman

About this artwork

height 167 mm x width 300 mm

Art Historical Context

This delicate pen drawing by Swiss artist David Alphonse de Sandoz-Rollin captures a tranquil country house nestled near Lac Léman, the shimmering expanse of Lake Geneva. Created with fine ink lines on paper measuring just 167 by 300 millimeters, the work reflects the refined draftsmanship of the late eighteenth century. Sandoz-Rollin, active during a period of growing appreciation for picturesque landscapes, used the pen medium to suggest both architectural detail and the gentle contours of the surrounding terrain. The composition invites viewers to imagine the serene shores of Lac Léman, a region long celebrated by artists and travelers for its dramatic alpine backdrop and luminous waters. Such drawings often served as studies or souvenirs, recording the harmony between human habitation and nature during the Enlightenment era. The restrained yet precise linework highlights the artist’s skill in conveying light, distance, and atmosphere with minimal means. Today, this intimate work offers a window into eighteenth-century Swiss topography and the emerging taste for naturalistic scenes that would later influence Romantic artists. Its modest scale encourages close looking, rewarding visitors with a sense of quiet discovery.

About the Artist

David Alphonse de Sandoz-Rollin · 1740–1809

Baron David Alphonse de Sandoz-Rollin (1740–1809) was a Swiss draughtsman and painter who combined artistic pursuits with diplomatic service, spending significant portions of his life in Paris while serving as secretary to the Prussian ambassador. Born in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, in 1740, Sandoz-Rollin pursued the dual career of diplomat and artist that was not uncommon among educated European elit...