Capri was painted by Jean-Achille Benouville in 1845.

Where can I see Capri?

Capri is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Capri?

Capri is associated with French Romanticism.

Artwork

Capri

Jean-Achille Benouville , 1845

Capri is an unspecified painting by the French Romanticist artist Jean-Achille Benouville. It dates from 1845 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

You see a steep, sunlit path winding down a rocky hillside toward the sea, with the white buildings of Capri clinging to the cliffs in the distance.

You see a steep, sunlit path winding down a rocky hillside toward the sea, with the white buildings of Capri clinging to the cliffs in the distance.

Benouville painted this spot because wealthy Europeans were flocking to Capri in the 1800s, turning it into a kind of open-air studio. The sharp shadows and bright light make the rocks feel almost touchable.

If you like this quiet, sun-drenched scene, look up the subject “france, 19th century, mod euro” for more paintings of the same era.

Overview

Capri is a painting by an artist who spent considerable time in Italy, capturing the island's rugged landscape.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a sunlit path descending a rocky hillside towards the sea, with the town of Capri visible in the distance. The scene showcases the island's dramatic scenery, which attracted European nobles and artists in the 19th century.

Technique & Style

The artist employed a personal, non-traditional approach, allocating a significant portion of the canvas to the depiction of stone, sky, and water, rendered in a vivid and tactile manner, with sharp shadows and bright light.

History & Provenance

The artist made multiple trips to Italy between 1838 and 1845, and subsequently spent 25 years there after receiving the Prix de Rome fellowship in 1845, during which time the painting was likely created.