Gaetano Vetturali (Lucca, 1701-1783)

Italian Capriccio View with Classical Ruins and Santa Maria della Salute, Venice

1777

View of the Ariccia Bridge and the Alban Hills This finely executed plein air landscape depicts the monumental bridge of Ariccia and the town with the surrounding Alban Hills, painted by German landscape artist Joachim Ludwig Heinrich Daniel Bünsow (born 1821 in Kiel, died 1910 in the same city). Executed in oil on paper mounted on cardboard, the work dates from his Italian period between 1853 and 1858. Not signed. Bünsow received his artistic training at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen from 1839 to 1848, studying under Johann Ludwig Lund and Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg. In 1844, the Copenhagen Art Association acquired his painting "Tellingstedt in Dithmarschen." Following his studies, he traveled to Dresden, where he became associated with the circle around Johan Christian Dahl. A scholarship from the Copenhagen Academy enabled Bünsow to reside in Rome from 1853 to 1858. During this period, his landscapes evolved from the finely toned, naturalistic style of his early work to more atmospheric and idealized compositions, influenced by Louis Gurlitt. Bünsow's early works from his time in Copenhagen are characterized by fine tonality and naturalistic rendering, reflecting the style of his teacher Christoffer Wilhelm Eckersberg. His Italian landscapes, however, exhibit a more atmospheric and idealized approach, influenced by Louis Gurlitt. Notably, Bünsow produced high-quality drawings during his time in Rome, some of which are preserved in the Kunsthalle zu Kiel. Historical Context: The Ariccia Bridge In the early 19th century, the local authorities sought to improve the Appian Way's safety and accessibility. The solution involved constructing bridges to span the Ariccia valley and adjacent ravines. In 1843, Pope Gregory XVI commissioned a six-arched bridge to address the elevation differences. Following his death in 1846, Pope Pius IX continued the project, entrusting architect Ireneo Aleandri with the design and Giuseppe Bertolini with the execution. Completed in 1854, the bridge stands as a significant 19th-century engineering achievement. Featuring three tiers of elegant neoclassical arches inspired by Roman art, it measures 59 meters in height and 312 meters in length. Travertine columns at both ends commemorate the Roman milestones...

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