Artwork
The Fountains of Rome (Le fontane di Roma), Book IV, plate 27: View of the Principal Cascade of the River Aniene in the City of Tivoli (Veduta della Cascata Principale del Fiume Aniene nelle citta di Tivoli)
The Fountains of Rome (Le fontane di Roma), Book IV, plate 27: View of the Principal Cascade of the River Aniene in the City of Tivoli (Veduta della Cascata Principale del Fiume Aniene nelle citta di Tivoli) is a print by the Baroque artist Giovanni Francesco Venturini. It dates from 1688 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 1688 print by Giovanni Francesco Venturini depicts a scenic view of the Principal Cascade of the River Aniene in Tivoli, near Rome. The work is part of 'The Fountains of Rome' series, Book IV, plate 27, and is housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The print captures a dynamic natural scene: a waterfall cascading down rocky cliffs into a river, with a village and church nestled among trees on the hillside above. Figures engage in everyday activities by the water, juxtaposing serene human presence with the powerful waterfall.
Technique & Style
Venturini employed fine lines to convey the movement of water and the play of light on the rocky surfaces, characteristic of the detailed observation found in Baroque-era depictions of nature.
History & Provenance
Created in 1688, the print is part of a larger series focused on Roman fountains. It is currently in the collection of The Cleveland Museum of Art.
Context
The work reflects the Baroque interest in dramatic natural landscapes and the integration of human activity within these settings, common in 17th-century European art.
Legacy
As part of 'The Fountains of Rome', this print contributes to the historical and artistic documentation of Rome's and its surroundings' natural and architectural beauty during the Baroque period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Giovanni Francesco Venturini (1650–1710) was an Italian printmaker of the Baroque period.
The Fountains of Rome (Le fontane di Roma), Book IV, plate 21: View of the Cascade below the Organ from the Garden (Veduta della Cascata Sotto L'Organo nel Piano del Giardino)
The Fountains of Rome (Le fontane di Roma), Book IV, plate 7: Fountain of the Tiburtine Sibyl (Fontana della Sibilla Tiburtina)
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