Artwork
Capriccio
Capriccio is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Francesco Guardi. It dates from 1762 and is held in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Francesco Guardi's Capriccio, painted circa 1762, is a representative work of the Venetian School. It showcases the artist's mature style, characterized by a shift towards more expressive and fluid representations.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a fantastical landscape featuring a ruined archway and a smaller domed structure, with scattered figures. The scene conveys a sense of decay and neglect, as nature reclaims the ancient structures.
Technique & Style
Guardi's Capriccio exemplifies the Rococo style, marked by a departure from the more rigid and detailed approach of his contemporary, Canaletto. The use of chiaroscuro contributes to the painting's atmospheric effect.
History & Provenance
The painting is now part of the Philadelphia Museum of Art's collection. Created during a period when Guardi focused on vedute, it reflects his evolving artistic interests after 1760.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francesco Lazzaro Guardi (Italian pronunciation: ; 5 October 1712 – 1 January 1793) was an Italian painter, nobleman, and a member of the Venetian School.
