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| A Capriccio with a Roman Arch Canaletto, 1742-45 Purchased by King George III The Royal Collection |
This work, dating to 1742, curiously does not match with the inventory of works drawn by Canaletto during his most productive youthful journey to Rome, and, was mostly drawn after-the-fact by studying similar scenes by other artists.
1 comment:
This is a remarkable work. The picture is chiefly about the unrestored Arch - which occupies the centre of the watercolour. In the 1700s, such structures were often a subject for artists who used them as an allegory for "Remember, mortals, that all mortal works decay" but also "Glorious achievements are still achievements, though hundreds of years later they appear to be crumbling."
A considerable number of Roman, indeed Italian antique buildings/sites generally, were in poor repair during the 1700s. But also, during this period, some of the first exacavations were made at the site of Pompeii. By the middle of the 1700s, seeing the 'digs' at Pompeii was a popular stop on a Grand Tour iteneary. These helped reignite European interest in Roman antiquity. Some art historians date the Neoclassical period as having its origins here.
What is also interesting about this watercolour/ink by Canaletto is that whilst it shows a 'ruin', it also shows life continuing. The boatman is both a figure contemplating the 'passing of human greatness', but also a symbol that 'life still goes on and what one makes of it is one's own choice'. Also notice the small cottage built against the side of the arch. The cottage's chimney and the sound state of the small structure's walls indicates occupancy. Amongst the old grandeur, there was a place for home and that pointed to hope for the future.
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