Villa Emiliana near Rome

Villa Emiliana near Rome
Villa Emiliana near Rome
Villa Emiliana near Rome
Private Collection, Scotland
title=Credit line
Artist
Richard Wilson (1713/14-1782)
Title
Villa Emiliana near Rome
Date
Later 1770s (undated)
Medium
Oil on wood
Dimensions
Metric: 34.2 x 41.2 cm
Imperial: 13 1/2 x 16 1/4 in.
Collection
Private Collection, Scotland
Accession Number
393
Wilson Online Reference
P117A
Description
An umbrella pine dominates the scene, with part of a villa on the left and a prominent stone sarcophagus in the centre. In the right background are a walled farmstead with cypresses and other trees. A figure is attending to washing on the wooden steps at the side of the villa, other figures are beneath the pine and a man sits on the ground prominently in the right foreground. Beyond are the sea or a lake and distant mountains under a blue sky with fluffy clouds.
Exhibited
RA Old Masters 1886 (17 - Landscape)
Signature/inscription
Traces of possible signature lower left: W
Techniques and materials
The pine branches have been reinforced oddly
Related Drawings
D223 Ascribed to Wilson, A Roman Table Support, Private Collection, England
Related Prints
E72/4 Thomas Hastings after Wilson, Villa Emilia, 1820, The British Museum
E72/4A Thomas Hastings after Wilson, Villa Emilia, 1820, The British Museum
Versions
See 'Links' tab
Critical commentary
The figures on the tomb in this version seem undiscernible.
Bibliography
WGC, p. 199, pl. 76b (version 1)
Condition/Conservation
Repaired and blanched area round poplars on the right. Kate Lowry has noted: Mahogany panel c10mm thick bevelled at all reverse edges. Perhaps a furniture panel rather than a prepared artist's panel. No cracks or splits. Ground preparation dark red in colour. Paint rather grubby but in fair condition with minor discoloured retouches in poplar trees at centre right. Figures and tomb are quite convincing as Wilson. The pine tree has strong impasto of white between branches.
Updated by Compiler
2021-08-12 00:00:00