An 18th Century Capriccio Landscape

A mid-18th century architectural capriccio landscape, depicting figures standing before a marble temple.

Now set within a carved ebonised and parcel gilded frame.

Dimensions refer to size of frame.

Provenance – Italian Private Collection.

Fantastical architectural depictions were generally made popular by Italian artists of the late 17th century as well as the early 18th century. The Flemish painter Jacob Ferdinand Saeys’ work, however, found great appreciation in this genre – outside of Italy. His uncle and teacher, Wilhelm Schubert von Ehrenberg, an artist with an interest in architectural scenes, passed on his fascination with Viviano Codazzi’s (1604 – 1670 ) work. Codazzi, in turn, was an Italian painter of architectural perspective scenes and landscapes with ruins. Such was the enduring appeal of Saeys’ work with its dramatic lighting, skilful rendering of perspective and materials, in particular marble, that other artists followed in his footsteps.

This particular painting is very similar in composition to a large number of imaginary views by Saeys. Typically these comprise a striking columned façade seen from an angle and continuing the scene through an elegant vista; in this case, a vast courtyard entered by a towering pedimented gateway. In this instance, the manner of painting as well as the weave of canvas suggest this piece was painted by an Italian artist influenced by the Dutch master. It is also entirely possible that it originally would have been set into the wall for enhanced decorative purposes as capriccio pictures were sometimes created to adorn the panelled space above a doorway to drawing rooms or hallways in larger dwellings.