Philippe Peter ROOS dit Rosa da Tivoli (1655-1706, German)

Philippe Peter ROOS dit Rosa da Tivoli (1655-1706, German)
Shepherd and his animals
Oil on canvas 73 x 98 cm
Circa 1690
Provenance :

- Italian private collection
- French private collection


The Shepherd and his Animals, painted in 1690 by Peter ROOS (1655-1706), known as Rosa da Tivoli, is a pastoral scene that invites us to contemplate a shepherd from behind, accompanied by his dog and flock. The painter imbues his animals with a profound sensibility, through which we can almost feel anguish and melancholy. His characteristic broad, soft brushstrokes make his paintings instantly recognizable.
Roos uses impasto to give a strong character to his sheep, whose white coats stand out strongly against the clouds. The ochre and brownish reserves in the preparatory layer bring out the dynamism of the foliage and the luminosity of the work. Given his talent for composition, Un comte made a daring bet with a Swedish general: while they played a game of cards, Roos would produce a painting in just thirty minutes. Even before their game was over, Roos unveiled a superb landscape and expressive animal heads.
This status as an animal painter brought him some turmoil in his love life.
After settling in Italy, the young artist fell in love with the beautiful Maria ISABELLA, daughter of his master, Giacinto BRANDI (1621-1691). The latter refused to accept an animal painter as a son-in-law, as he was too low in the hierarchy of genres. Out of love, Roos informed Pope Innocent XI of his situation, converted to Catholicism and fled with his beloved to Tivoli. In his new life, the artist enjoyed great success as an animal painter. Our painting belongs to this period, considered Roos' most successful. The following period, marked by financial difficulties and alcoholism, was unfortunately of lesser quality.