Neapolitan Artist, Seascape with Fortified Village and Figures, Oil on Canvas, 19th Century

Details

Description

A charming oil on canvas painting from the 19th-century Neapolitan school, it captures with luminous poetry a lively seaside village.

… Read more A charming oil on canvas painting from the 19th-century Neapolitan school, it captures with luminous poetry a lively seaside village.

The work is an excellent example of the landscape painting that flourished in Campania during the 19th century, a period of great interest in coastal views.

Artwork Details

Subject: Seascape with fortified village and figures.

Technique: Oil on canvas.

Period: 19th century (19th-century Naples).

Condition: The work is in good overall condition, enhanced by an elegant contemporary gilded wooden frame.

Style: The light and luminous palette, the attention to the daily life of fishermen, and the contrast between the solid architecture and the vastness of the sea are typical of the Neapolitan painting tradition of the period.

of the View

The scene is dominated by an imposing coastal fortification, perhaps a tower or castle guarding the promontory, with a residential area at its foot, characterized by warm-toned houses.

On the right, the coast juts into the sea in a steep cliff, with the striking presence of stacks rising from the water. These rock formations are an iconic feature of several towns in Campania and Southern Italy.

The calm, reflective sea is animated by lateen sailboats and small fishing boats, intent on their daily activities.
In the foreground, several dark boulders add depth and contrast to the composition.

Possible Inspirational Location

Due to the presence of the fortress on a promontory overlooking the village, the beach with boats, and especially the distinctive features of the faraglioni, or large rocks in the open sea, the scene strongly evokes the atmosphere and landscapes of the Campania coast and, in particular, places such as:

A stretch of the Amalfi or Sorrento Coast.

Alternatively, given the generic nature of some 19th-century views, it could be a suggestive composition inspired by iconic places such as Capri (Faraglioni), although the urban setting in the foreground suggests a more populated center.

The dimensions are as follows:

74 x 53 cm (frame) 39 x 62 cm (painting) See less