Buildings and Figures near a River with Rapids

Image credit: The National Gallery, London

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This painting, like its pendant Buildings and Figures near a River with Shipping is a capriccio, a scene made up of elements drawn from reality and fantasy. The cascade at the right and the colourful figures on the opposite bank – resting shepherds, elegantly dressed ladies, and a milkmaid attending to her cows – are typical features of pastoral landscapes. The two groups of trees at the sides are like a stage set, framing the composition and giving it a sense of balance and depth. A mountainous landscape lies beyond.

One of the pleasures of this picture and its pair is Marieschi’s use of paint: he has applied it freely and thickly, particularly in shaping the buildings. He has clearly enjoyed crafting a fantastical world of overlapping towers, rustic roofs, balconies, windows and turrets, all bathed in warm sunlight.

The National Gallery, London

London

Title

Buildings and Figures near a River with Rapids

Date

1735-43

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 61 x W 92.1 cm

Accession number

NG2103

Acquisition method

Bequeathed by the Misses Cohen as part of the John Samuel collection, 1906

Work type

Painting

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The National Gallery, London

Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England

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