The monumental “River Landscape with Figures” by Antonio Francesco Peruzzini belongs fully to the tradition of Italian Baroque landscape painting, a field in which the artist from the Marche played a significant role thanks to his ability to combine natural observation and scenic construction. Active between the Marche, Bologna and Rome, Peruzzini developed a language influenced by the developments of Emilian and Roman landscape painting.
In this work, the composition unfolds according to a broad and airy structure. The scene is dominated by a watercourse that leads the eye towards a luminous mountainous horizon. However, the foreground is constructed through strong chiaroscuro contrasts: large masses of trees frame the scene, creating a theatrical effect typical of 17th-century painting.
Furthermore, the small figures placed along the path — depicted in everyday activities — do not serve only a narrative function, but also help to define the scale and depth of the space. The bridge, the watercourse and the waterfalls thus become dynamic elements that guide the reading of the image.
From a technical point of view, Peruzzini demonstrates remarkable sensitivity in the rendering of atmosphere: variations in light and gradations of tone create a natural and convincing perspective. Likewise, the vegetation is treated with free yet controlled brushstrokes, capable of suggesting volume and movement.
Moreover, the work’s inclusion in the bibliography of the exhibition curated by Mina Gregori and Piero Zampetti (Ancona, 1997) confirms the critical interest in the artist’s production. Overall, the work represents a significant example of his artistic language, in which nature, light and compositional construction merge in a highly effective visual balance.
Description: Oil on canvas, H 187×303 cm.
Bibliography: Mina Gregori, Piero Zampetti, exhibition catalogue, Ancona, 1997.
Hammer Price: € 9.600,00
Auction 7 – November 20th 2015 – Selection of furniture, works of art, drawings, Old Master paintings, 19th-20th century paintings and Asian art from private collections
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