“The Archway” Italian School, 18th c., "A Capriccio of Ruins”

This classic styled Capriccio is believed to have been painted by Hubert Robert who like many French artists of his time, traveled to Italy to study painting.

He was in Rome from 1754 until 1765, and it was during this time that he painted several versions of this setting including Capriccio of Classical Ruins with Boat and its companion piece Capriccio of Classical Ruins with Pyramid.

This painting A Capriccio of Classical Ruins the Archway and its companion Piece showcase many of the same details and artistic stylings of the artist.

The Italian word capriccio, a musical term meaning whimsical or improvisational, here refers to the playful assemblage of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian objects in the same space.

He dramatized his majestic ruins by placing small rustic figures in the scene and by using stage-set lighting with strong shadows in the foreground.

Robert became a friend of Italian artists Piranesi and Pannini and introduced their type of romantic ruin-painting to France, although in a more restrained and realistic manner.

ArtistHubert Robert
(French, 1733 - 1808) TitleCapriccio of Classical Ruins Dateca. 1761