Neapolitan School, ca. 1830-1840

Neapolitan school, ca. 1830-1840.
"View of Naples."
Watercolor and gouache.
Measurements: 48 x 63 cm; 64 x 79 cm (frame).

Evocative view of the Bay of Naples, executed with the mixed technique of watercolor and gouache. Its style and subject matter refer to the great tradition of the 18th century vedutisti. The painting offers a classic and recognizable panorama of Naples from the coast of Posillipo. The composition is carefully structured to guide the viewer's gaze: from the lively genre scene in the foreground. Characters dressed in 18th or early 19th century fashion stroll, converse and ride in elegant horse-drawn carriages. A large palace towers over a rocky cliff, serving as a strong visual anchor. It is the iconic, unfinished Palazzo Donn'Anna, a famous landmark of the Neapolitan coast.

Across the bay, the city of Naples stretches along the coast, ascending the hills. Dominating the horizon, the unmistakable silhouette of Mount Vesuvius rises, with a subtle column of smoke emanating from its crater.

The sea is dotted with a variety of vessels, from small sailing boats to larger ships, underscoring the importance of Naples as a port.

The artist demonstrates great technical skill, combining the transparency of watercolor for the sky and water with the opacity and richness of gouache to precisely define the architectural details, figures and carriages.