Alessandro Salucci (Florence, 1590 - Rome, 1657)Fantastic view with port and architectural capriccio Oil on canvas 94 x 129 cm - Framed 117 x 156 cm The painting is accompanied by a critical analysis by Ferdinando Arisi Full details (click HERE) The scene, immersed in a suggestive morning light, depicts a fantastic port view dominated on the right by an imposing classical architectural structure, flanked by a Renaissance-style palace, while in the background we find the ruin of a portico punctuated by arches and Corinthian columns. The fascinating composition is animated by figures of merchants dressed in oriental fashion, who are waiting to resume their journey loaded with goods. Professor Arisi recognizes the style of the Florentine painter Alessandro Salucci (Florence, 1590 - Rome, circa 1660) who, after initial training in his hometown, moved at a very young age to Rome, soon beginning to collaborate with well-established painters and specializing in the execution of imaginary architectural views, becoming one of the most significant view painters active in the Eternal City. Specifically, our work is traced back to the documented collaboration between the painter, a specialist in the creation of painted architectures, and the Flemish Jan Miel (1599 - 1663), who would instead have created the characters, active in Rome from 1636 and among the most famous authors of the current called 'bamboccianti'. His creations were strongly influenced by the art of Viviano Codazzi (1604 - 1670), with whom he was often confused, but they stand out for their greater fantasy, managing to blend the main Roman monuments with refined elegance. The element that makes his 'capriccios' unique is the creative power with which he outlines their characters: he does not pursue the intent of representing the buildings in an objective or verisimilar way and therefore his works are real architectural scenographies of pure fantasy. The ancient structures in his compositions, such as here the arch in the background, are not recorded in archaeological details, but are used exclusively for decorative effects. See, for comparison, some paintings similar to ours in terms of quality and scenic setting, where we find the compositional scheme that sees the use of the same building on the side in the foreground as a backdrop, and the composition that unfolds in a dynamic succession of several planes. Among these: (fig.1) A. Salucci, Marina with port, triumphal arch, buildings and figures (Arte Antica '95. Antiques Biennial, 1995, p. 19) https://catalogo.fondazionezeri.unibo.it/scheda/opera/54932/ (fig.2) A. Salucci, Fantasy view with Campo Vaccino and the Colosseum (Busiri Vici A., Architectural fantasies of Alessandro Salucci, in Capitolium, 1962, 13) https://catalogo.fondazionezeri.unibo.it/scheda/opera/54915/ (fig.3) A. Salucci/M. Cerquozzi, Marina with buildings, sailing ships and figures (Cincinnati Art Museum) https://catalogo.fondazionezeri.unibo.it/scheda/opera/54882/ (fig.4) A. Salucci/J.Miel, Ideal architectures with figures along the sea coast, oil on canvas, cm 114 x 165 (Vienna Dorotheum, 17.10.2012) https://www.dorotheum.com/it/l/4560793/ (fig.5) A. Salucci, Meeting between Solomon and the Queen of Sheba (Banca Italia Collection) https://collezionedarte.bancaditalia.it/web/guest/-/alessandro-salucci ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The painting is sold complete with a pleasant antique frame and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a descriptive iconographic sheet. We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. If you wish to see this or other works in person, we will be happy to welcome you to our new gallery in Riva del Garda, in Viale Giuseppe Canella 18. We are waiting for you! Contact us for any information or to organize a visit, we will be happy to answer you. Follow us also on: https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/