Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Battle Abbey

Name Class Date

Cass Gilbert, Battle Abbey (1931). Public domain. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Cass Gilbert topimpressionists.com/en/artists/cass-gilbert/
Artist’s dates
1859 – 1934
Painted
1931
Original size
31 x 46 cm

In context

Battle Abbey — Cass Gilbert

How big is it?

The original measures 31 × 46 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1850
  2. 1860
  3. 1870
  4. 1880
  5. 1890
  6. 1900
  7. 1910
  8. 1920
  9. 1930

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 75 at death.

Painted when the artist was 72. The artist lived to 75. 53 of the 64 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.

Shaded: the lifetime of Cass Gilbert (1859–1934) ▲ this work, 1931 every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1898 Main working years: 1898–1927 Late works: from 1927

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/cass-gilbert-battle-abbey-AQTAH5-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Putty #dedcd4

    Catalogued palette

    • #DEDCD4
    • #4D4D3A
    • #857757
    • #B09F7D

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Neutrals The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Putty
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Bold How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Brilliant How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Subtle Color How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Cass Gilbert over the last twelve months — 2 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 96.0%
    2. 2 United States of America 4.0%

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 20 most looked-at works by Cass Gilbert

    1. 1 Arches of Palace of Nero, 1933 7.4%
    2. 2 (Temple), 1927 7.4%
    3. 3 Old Church, Tours, France, 1880 7.4%
    4. 4 Old House at Segovia, Spain, 1920 7.4%
    5. 5 Temple of Neptune, Paestum, 1898 7.4%
    6. 6 Battle Abbey, 1931 this painting 3.7%
    7. 7 The Lagoon, Venice, 1898 3.7%
    8. 8 Towers from the City Wall, Nuremberg, 1897 3.7%
    9. 9 On the Beach below the Promenade des Anglais, Nice, France, 1898 3.7%
    10. 10 Church of St. Francis, Assisi, 1898 3.7%
    11. 11 Mt. Vesuvius from the Bay of Naples, 1905 3.7%
    12. 12 Windsor Castle, England, 1905 3.7%
    13. 13 St. Martin's Church, Utrecht, Holland, 1898 3.7%
    14. 14 On the Canal, Bruges, 1928 3.7%
    15. 15 Southwest Tower, Amiens Cathedral, 1880 3.7%
    16. 16 Bridge at Moret, France, 1928 3.7%
    17. 17 Santa Maria Della Salute, Venice, 1933 3.7%
    18. 18 Chateau de l'Houblouniere, 1924 3.7%
    19. 19 Courtyard, Capucine Monastery, Amalfi, 1898 3.7%
    20. 20 Laon Cathedral, France, 1913 3.7%

    Together these works take 92.5% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 67 works by this artist, of which 22 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 6 of them, with 3.7% of that attention. The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    About this artwork

    Battle Abbey — Cass Gilbert

    The painting "Battle Abbey" is a beautiful watercolor work created by the American architect and artist Cass Gilbert in 1931. The piece measures 31 x 46 cm and is currently housed at the Smithsonian American Art Museum (United States). This stunning artwork showcases the artist's skill in capturing the serene atmosphere of a historic building.

    The Painting's Details

    The painting depicts a church with two towers, one on each side, and a large tower in the background. Three people are walking near the church, possibly tourists or visitors. The scene also includes trees surrounding the church, creating a peaceful ambiance. The overall atmosphere appears to be calm and serene, as people enjoy their time near this historic building.

    Artist's Style

    Cass Gilbert's style is characterized by his use of watercolor, which gives his paintings a unique and delicate touch. His attention to detail and ability to capture the essence of a scene are evident in "Battle Abbey". The painting's soft colors and gentle brushstrokes evoke a sense of tranquility, making it a captivating piece for art lovers.

    Reproductions Available

    For those who appreciate Cass Gilbert's work, reproductions of "Battle Abbey" are available at AllPaintingsStore.com. These handmade oil paintings are created by talented artists who carefully replicate the original artwork. With various sizes and framing options, art enthusiasts can choose the perfect reproduction to suit their taste.

    Handmade oil painting reproductions

    Available in various sizes

    Framing options available

    Discover more about Cass Gilbert and his artwork on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cass_Gilbert Visit AllPaintingsStore.com to explore more artworks and reproductions: https://AllPaintingsStore.com

    The "Battle Abbey" painting is a beautiful example of Cass Gilbert's skill as an artist. With its serene atmosphere and delicate details, it is a captivating piece that art lovers will appreciate. Whether you're looking for a reproduction or simply want to learn more about the artist, AllPaintingsStore.com is the perfect destination.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Cass Gilbert

    The Architect of American Grandeur

    Cass Gilbert stands as a towering figure in the annals of American architectural history, a man whose vision fundamentally reshaped the aesthetic landscape of the early twentieth century. Born in Troy, New York, his formative years were steeped in a deep appreciation for classical tradition and meticulous craftsmanship. Through his formal training at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Gilbert developed a philosophy that would become his hallmark: the seamless synthesis of Beaux-Arts principles with the cutting-edge engineering techniques of a burgeoning nation. Drawing inspiration from the grandeur of Parisian masters like Auguste Choisel and Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, he sought to embody the ideals of democracy, law, and humanism within the very bones of his structures.

    A Legacy Carved in Stone and Steel

    His work was characterized by a rare ability to prioritize structural integrity alongside profound artistic expression. This duality allowed him to become a monumental pioneer in skyscraper design, most notably with the completion of the Woolworth Building in 1913. A soaring edifice of limestone and terracotta, this masterpiece redefined the aesthetics of the modern skyline and served as a symbol of New York City's immense economic power. Yet, Gilbert’s genius was not reserved solely for the heights of Manhattan; his commitment to civic dignity is equally evident in his monumental public works, such as the Minnesota Capitol and the Detroit Public Library, where he utilized scale and ornamentation to celebrate the permanence of American institutions.

    The Delicate Hand Behind the Monumental

    While history remembers him for his massive stone facades and soaring towers, there existed within Gilbert a sensitive, observant artist capable of immense delicacy. His watercolor and pencil works reveal a different facet of his soul—one attuned to the romanticism of historical scenes and the subtle play of light. In pieces such as 'Latin Quarter, Paris' and 'Tower at Enkhuisen, Holland,' one finds a muted palette and a mastery of texture that captures the essence of a bygone era. These works demonstrate that his architectural precision was born from a deep, artistic understanding of atmosphere and detail, proving that even the most monumental creator possesses a heart for the intimate and the ephemeral.

    Where to read more

    • The artist Cass Gilbert topimpressionists.com/en/artists/cass-gilbert/
    • Similar works More works to compare topimpressionists.com/en/art/similar/cass-gilbert-battle-abbey-AQTAH5-en/

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Battle Abbey

    topimpressionists.com/en/art/download/cass-gilbert-battle-abbey-AQTAH5-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Gilbert, Cass. Battle Abbey. 1931, https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/cass-gilbert-battle-abbey-AQTAH5-en/
    APA
    Gilbert, Cass (1931). Battle Abbey [Painting]. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/cass-gilbert-battle-abbey-AQTAH5-en/
    Chicago
    Cass Gilbert. Battle Abbey. 1931. https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/cass-gilbert-battle-abbey-AQTAH5-en/
    Harvard
    Gilbert, Cass (1931) Battle Abbey. Available at: https://topimpressionists.com/en/art/cass-gilbert-battle-abbey-AQTAH5-en/

    Look closely

    Battle Abbey — Cass Gilbert

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Look back at Mt. Pico, Azores Islands (1905), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    4. Cass Gilbert was about 72 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?
    5. What might the artist have wanted you to feel?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Questions & Answers

    How can I get a print of "Battle Abbey" by Cass Gilbert?

    "Battle Abbey" is available as a fine art print on cotton canvas or archival canvas paper. Orders are placed on its Fine Art Print page, in the size of your choice.

    Where do the visitors of "Battle Abbey" by Cass Gilbert come from?

    A Stats page exists for "Battle Abbey". It charts the monthly visits of the artwork and of the artist's other works, with country and language breakdowns.

    Can I watch "Battle Abbey" as a full-screen slideshow?

    "Battle Abbey" by Cass Gilbert can be viewed as a slideshow on the artwork's Diaporama page.