19th Roman School Large View Of The Claudian Aqueduct, Grand Tour, Circa 1840
Large oil painting on canvas depicting a Grand Tour view of Rome, the Claudian Aqueduct with figures and herds; a follower of Ippolito Caffi, circa 1840.
The painting depicts a classic view of the Roman countryside featuring the monumental ruins of the Claudian Aqueduct (Aqua Claudia), a favorite subject in 19th-century landscape painting. The work shows the imposing brick-and-stone arches of the ancient Roman aqueduct stretching toward the horizon, accompanied by figures of farmers with animals (mules in the foreground and herds of buffalo in the distance) typical of the picturesque genre and 19th-century landscape painting. Similar scenes, intended to capture the melancholic beauty and solitude of the Roman countryside dotted with imperial ruins, were widely depicted by artists of the time such as Ippolito Caffi, Achille Vertunni, and Pietro Sassi.
Caffi, in particular, painted “The Roman Aqueducts at Sunset,” now in the Museum of Rome, meticulously studying the effect of light and the warm hues of sunset on the stones: he loved the contrasts between light and shadow, brought places to life with fog, rain, smoke, or flashes of fire, and preferred to paint at night, at sunset, and at dawn. This distinctive style of his seems to have inspired the artist of our painting, who bathes the stones of the majestic aqueduct in soft golden reflections, illuminating the faces of the two shepherd boys. Even the unusual angle from which the aqueduct is depicted—from below—is typical of Caffi, and gives the work a sense of perspective and depth, as if it were lost in infinity among the herds of buffalo.
The painting celebrates the Roman countryside, immortalizing the monumental arches of brick and tuff as symbols of eternity and the melancholy of the landscape. This subject was highly sought after by tourists and collectors passing through Rome during the Grand Tour, who were fascinated and intrigued by this world unknown to them. The painting has a beautiful contemporary frame made of richly carved wood gilded with gold leaf and is magnificently preserved.
Dimensions
Canvas: 59 x 36.5 cm
Frame: 85 x 61 cm
The painting depicts a classic view of the Roman countryside featuring the monumental ruins of the Claudian Aqueduct (Aqua Claudia), a favorite subject in 19th-century landscape painting. The work shows the imposing brick-and-stone arches of the ancient Roman aqueduct stretching toward the horizon, accompanied by figures of farmers with animals (mules in the foreground and herds of buffalo in the distance) typical of the picturesque genre and 19th-century landscape painting. Similar scenes, intended to capture the melancholic beauty and solitude of the Roman countryside dotted with imperial ruins, were widely depicted by artists of the time such as Ippolito Caffi, Achille Vertunni, and Pietro Sassi.
Caffi, in particular, painted “The Roman Aqueducts at Sunset,” now in the Museum of Rome, meticulously studying the effect of light and the warm hues of sunset on the stones: he loved the contrasts between light and shadow, brought places to life with fog, rain, smoke, or flashes of fire, and preferred to paint at night, at sunset, and at dawn. This distinctive style of his seems to have inspired the artist of our painting, who bathes the stones of the majestic aqueduct in soft golden reflections, illuminating the faces of the two shepherd boys. Even the unusual angle from which the aqueduct is depicted—from below—is typical of Caffi, and gives the work a sense of perspective and depth, as if it were lost in infinity among the herds of buffalo.
The painting celebrates the Roman countryside, immortalizing the monumental arches of brick and tuff as symbols of eternity and the melancholy of the landscape. This subject was highly sought after by tourists and collectors passing through Rome during the Grand Tour, who were fascinated and intrigued by this world unknown to them. The painting has a beautiful contemporary frame made of richly carved wood gilded with gold leaf and is magnificently preserved.
Dimensions
Canvas: 59 x 36.5 cm
Frame: 85 x 61 cm
2 300 €
Period: 19th century
Style: Louis Philippe, Charles 10th
Condition: Excellent condition
Material: Oil painting
Width: 85
Height: 61
Reference (ID): 1798493
Availability: In stock
Print
