Artwork
The Large Waterfall at Tivoli near Rome
The Large Waterfall at Tivoli near Rome is an oil painting by Jacob Philipp Hackert. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Created in 1796, this oil painting depicts a broad cascade set within a verdant landscape near Tivoli, close to Rome.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1796, this oil painting depicts a broad cascade set within a verdant landscape near Tivoli, close to Rome. The composition centers on the falling water, framed by rocky cliffs, foliage, and a modest gathering of figures and animals in the foreground, offering a panoramic view of nature’s dynamism.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures a natural spectacle—a sizable waterfall—emphasizing the interplay between water, rock, and vegetation. Human and animal presences are minimal, suggesting a contemplative observation of the environment rather than a narrative scene, inviting viewers to consider the sublime qualities of the Italian countryside.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil on canvas, the painting showcases Hackert’s meticulous brushwork and layered glazing, which produce vivid coloration and textured surfaces. Fine detailing of foliage and the shimmering water reflects the artist’s command of light and atmospheric effects, characteristic of late‑18th‑century landscape painting.
History & Provenance
The German‑born landscape specialist Jacob Philipp Hackert, active mainly in Italy, completed the piece during his later career. It entered the collection of Vienna’s Kunsthistorisches Museum, where it remains part of the museum’s holdings of European landscape art.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jacob Philipp Hackert (15 September 1737 – 28 April 1807) was a landscape painter from Brandenburg, who did most of his work in Italy.
