Gallery
Gaspar Van Wittel (1652-1736)
aka Gaspare VanvitelliA Prospect of Posillipo, 1770
The Prospect of Posillipo shows the broad sweep of the bay of Naples with Vesuvius in the distance. The Palazzo Donn'Anna, by the architect Cosimo Franzago in 1637, is seen on the left and a small flotilla of aristocratic Venetian style boat taxis appear to be in ceremonial procession. The central red canopied vessel may be carrying Don Luis del la Cerda, the Duke of Medinaceli and the Spanish Viceroy. In 1701 Don Luis returned to Spain taking this Vanvitelli with him as a souvenir of his time in Naples. This particular painting remained in his family until it was bought by Compton Verney in 2001.
Gaspar Van Wittel
The Dutch painter Van Wittel (later Italianized to Vanvitelli) was one of the most successful Northern painters to enter mainstream artistic life in Italy. He was an expert at verduta esatta, topographical compositions that accurately record vistas. Vanvitelli's influence on subsequent generations, including Canaletto, was profound and felt throughout Europe.
Activities, discussions and questions
» Van Wittel was an expert at painting really detailed views of house. Now we use cameras to document. How things really look. Try taking photographs of where you live on different days and at different times. Take your collection of photos and make a collage by using different parts of different photographs to make a detailed view.
» Colours were used to show the importance of certain people. In the painting Van Wittel uses red to show the Viceroy of Naples. Think about other artists you know, do they use colour in a particular way? Discuss what you think certain colours represent and does this make it easier or harder to understand the painting?
Gaspar Van Wittel (1652-1736)
A Prospect of Posillipo, 1770
Material: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 72.7 cm x 170.3 cm
Place made: Italy
Accession No: CVCSC 0281.S
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