.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Nicknamed Orizzonte for his panoramic views, Jan Frans van Bloemen produced some of the finest classical landscapes in Rome during the first half of the 18th century. He began his career in Antwerp, the pupil of his elder brother Pieter. In 1689 he moved to Rome, where he would remain for the rest of his career, and where he became a prominent member of the Bamboccianti, the confraternity of Dutch and Flemish artists active there.
Based on the Roman campagna, van Bloemen's landscapes were inspired by those of Claude Lorrain and Gaspard Dughet in their recession through a series of horizontal planes, warm, even lighting, Arcadian mood, and classical and religious subject matter.
The finely executed figures are likely from a hand other than van Bloemen's; several names have been suggested as their author, but the most probable candidate is Placido Costanzi (Rome 1702-1759), who is known to have contributed figures to other landscapes by the artist.
Based on the Roman campagna, van Bloemen's landscapes were inspired by those of Claude Lorrain and Gaspard Dughet in their recession through a series of horizontal planes, warm, even lighting, Arcadian mood, and classical and religious subject matter.
The finely executed figures are likely from a hand other than van Bloemen's; several names have been suggested as their author, but the most probable candidate is Placido Costanzi (Rome 1702-1759), who is known to have contributed figures to other landscapes by the artist.