A capriccio with the Colosseum

Our painting illustrates two of the most impressive monuments of Ancient Rome, The Colosseum and the Arch of Constantine. The artist has chosen in his work to join his two buildings. This is a technique characteristic of architectural whims, the monuments are juxtaposed within the same painting (even if they are distant from a geographical point of view).
Our work combines classical ruins with contemporary elements, such as the figures of the figures in the foreground, from the wandering workers to their occupations. Dressed in 17th century fashion, his figures are directly inspired by the works of the Bamboccianti (Dutch painters working in the Nordic style in Rome and known for their scenes of daily life). A luminous opening on the left gives us a glimpse of the Roman countryside
The artist seeks to impress the viewer with the contrast between the modest figures and the immensity of his magnificent ancient buildings.

17th century Italian school
Circle of Viviano Codazzi (1604-1670)
Oil on canvas
Dimensions: h. 90 cm, w. 130cm
Modern 17th century style frame with “a la Berain” decor
Framed dimensions: h. 104 cm, w. 145cm

Viviano Codazzi, born in Bergamo in 1604, is an artist inseparable from the ruins of Rome. He began his career in Naples in the 1620s before settling in Rome in 1647-1648.
Marked by the influence of Bamboccianti, his canvases give a predominant place to ancient architecture in complex compositions, an ideal architecture later called capriccio, in a landscape.