The Gardens of the Villa Madama, near Rome

About this artwork

Research in Progress

Art Historical Context

Created in 1761 by the French artist Jean-Baptiste Richard de Saint Non, "The Gardens of the Villa Madama, near Rome" offers a glimpse into one of Italy’s most celebrated Renaissance estates. The Villa Madama, situated on the slopes of Monte Mario outside Rome, was begun in the early sixteenth century under the patronage of Pope Leo X and later completed by the Medici family. Its terraced gardens, with their classical fountains, loggias, and sweeping views, became a model of harmonious landscape design that inspired generations of European visitors. As a print held in the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the work reflects the eighteenth-century practice of documenting Italy’s artistic heritage for an international audience. Artists like Saint Non traveled widely during this period, recording architectural and natural wonders that symbolized cultural continuity between ancient Rome and the Renaissance. The piece entered the museum’s collection through the bequest of Erskine Hewitt, underscoring how such images traveled across continents and centuries. Though research on its exact printing technique remains ongoing, the image continues to convey the tranquil elegance of these historic gardens to modern viewers.