Gallery
Carlo Bonavia (1751-1788)
Storm off Rocky Coast, 1757
Storm off Rocky Coast is heavily influenced by french artist Claude Vernet's coastal views of 1751 which suggests that Bonavia studied with the Frenchman or certainly was aware of his style. The dramatic stormy sky is in stark contrast to the woeful lamentation of the shipwreck survivors. On the craggy outlet castles and towers can be seen indicating that no matter how secure we try to make the human world of mankind it can be destroyed by the powers of Nature. This was a constant theme in Neapolitan art perhaps stemming from the ever present active Vesuvius. The coastline depicted is not real but a composite of several places around Naples.
Carlo Bonavia
Bonavia was from Rome but spent his entire working life in Naples. He was extremely popular with Grand Tourists and local collectors, particularly because of his 'dangerous' theatrical pieces. His style is so close to Claude Vernet's that his paintings are often mistaken for those of his mentor.
Activities, discussions and questions
» Try sketching three different places, then combine your drawings to make one fantastical landscape painting.
» Discuss how the artist has used foreground, mid-ground and background. What has the artist placed onto each of these to show us a sense of place and to tell us a story?
Carlo Bonavia (1751-1788)
Storm off Rocky Coast, 1757
Material: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 158 cm x 234.5 cm
Place made: Italy
Accession No: CVCSC.0212.S
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