View of the Basilica of St. John Lateran

Paolo Anesibefore 1732

Details

Title: View of the Basilica of St. John Lateran
Creator Lifespan: 1697 - 1773
Creator Nationality: Italian
Creator Gender: Male
Creator Death Place: Rome
Creator Birth Place: Rome
Date: before 1732
Provenance: Archbishop's Painting Gallery, Pozzobonelli Collection
Physical Dimensions: w49.2 x h25.6 cm
Painter: Paolo Anesi
Description: Among the most famous Roman artists of the eighteenth century, Anesi was one of the favorite painters of Cardinal Pozzobonelli, who bought at least four of his works depicting specific locations in Rome, as in the case of this painting, but also other places that are less characteristic of the city. This painting of the View of the Basilica of St. John Lateran, is interesting because it shows the facade of the church before the eighteenth century (1733-1736) restoration by Alessandro Galilei, and therefore must have been executed prior to the restoration. On the left, part of the Aurelian Walls is visible, and immediately to the left of the basilica, one of the domes of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore juts out. The painter is clearly attentive to the atmospheric value of light. Though he was influenced by van Wittel, Anesi appears less inclined here to include a minute investigation of reality in the manner of the Dutch master.
Type: painting
Rights: © Archivio fotografico Museo Diocesano, Milano
Medium: oil on canvas

Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more