View Of St. Peter's Basilica In Rome, Oil On Panel From The Restoration Period

A beautiful view of St. Peter's Basilica from the aqueduct of the Villa Borghese. This location is indicated in French on the back of this oil painting on wood, along with the artist's name: "Costanzo de Angelis, artista romano." No further information has been found about this painter. All that can be said is that he succeeded in his painting: St. Peter in the center, bathed in beautiful evening light and framed by one of the arches of the Villa Borghese aqueduct. It serves as a support for lush vegetation, a tree on the left and climbing plants on the right. This verdant crown forms a tondo around the basilica and places it at the center, thus emphasizing its importance to the Christian world. At the same time, a romantic spirit emanates from the painting, but the Neoclassical period is not entirely forgotten: on the right, one sees a broken ancient column. Opposite, a young woman with her baby, bathed in the setting sun, and a boy trying to climb a tree, bring the scene to life. The artist masters not only the composition, but also the light and colors. And his brushstrokes are confident. The painting has its original frame, a magnificent Restoration-era fluted frame.