Jodocus Sebastiaen Van den Abeele (1797-1855) and/or circle: A view on Rome from the terrace of the Villa Medici, oil on canvas, dated 1845

968

Work: 51,5 x 39,5 cm

Frame: 70,5 x 58 cm

 

Right in front of Villa Medici, Ferdinando de' Medici (1549-1609) ordered a fontain, which was created by Raffaello di Pagno and Annibale Lippi. Since the 19th C., the fountain is also known as the Corot Fountain because of the painting that the French painter presumably made in 1825. The fountain, due to its position, was painted by many artists including many Grand Prix de Rome winners who stayed at the Academy such as Fragonard, Hubert Robert, Vernet, etc. The fountain was a source of inspiration for many artists. Some different versions by Van den Abeele are known (a smaller version - 40 x 30 cm - was sold at Von Zengen Auktionshaus, Bonn, Germany, in 2006, a larger version - 61,5 x 47 cm - at Horta, Brussels, Belgium, in 2017; a watercolour with the same topic can be found on the net, etc.). Unfortunately, there is currently no research into the nature and character of the production.