“Landscape with Figures” by Gherardo and Giuseppe Poli belongs to the tradition of the Tuscan capriccio landscape of the 18th century, a genre in which the two artists were active with a recognizable language. Father and son, Florentine by origin but also connected to the Pisan environment, the Poli are known for imaginative views, scenographic landscapes and compositions animated by small figures.
In this work, the landscape develops in depth through a broad and articulated construction. The darker foreground introduces the viewer into a natural scene crossed by a watercourse, while hills, trees and a luminous sky open up in the background. Moreover, the presence of small figures gives movement to the composition, transforming the landscape into a narrative episode.
The scene should not be read as a real view, but as an environment constructed with inventive freedom. However, the balance between nature, light and human presence keeps the image ordered and legible. The shadowed areas, luminous openings and succession of planes in fact create a theatrical effect, typical of 18th-century landscape painting.
Overall, “Landscape with Figures” represents a significant example of the production of Gherardo and Giuseppe Poli, capable of combining ideal landscape, scenographic taste and everyday narrative in an elegant and measured composition.
Description: Oil on canvas, within a period frame, H cm 52×69.5 – with frame H cm 81×95.
Provenance: Important private collection.
Hammer Price: € 6.200,00
Auction 50 – 3 March 2022 – Old Masters – Silvers – Furniture – Drawings
Discover all the top lots from our Old Masters auctions!
Do you own a work by Gherardo and Giuseppe Poli ? Request a free valuation right now!
Contact us:
