View of the Aniene before the Waterfall

The companion piece of View of the Port of Ripa Grande, this painting came to the Academy of Saint Luke thanks to the bequest of Fabio Rosa, in 1753, and was considered by Briganti among the works of highest quality by van Wittel. Tivoli is seen from the left bank near the Piazza Rivarola, with the bridge of San Martino on the background and a group of houses on the right—the area is now occupied by Villa Gregoriana—and the Gate of Sant'Angelo from which the Via Valeria started. At the centre is the temple of Vesta on the edge of the waterfall, which becomes the point of intersection of the diagonals that support the geometric scheme of the picture, confirming the archaeological interests of the artist and the purpose of views like this, especially popular among travellers on the Grand Tour. [MM]