A Cascade on the River Liri
Isola del Liri, Italy, 1787
Oil on paper, laid down on canvas
25.4 x 39.4 cm
Bidauld’s oil sketch was painted on the spot during the French artist’s stay in Italy (1785-90).
The artist made numerous such studies from which he later painted large historical landscapes in the neo-classical style. Painting from nature in oils was one of the ways in which young landscape artists developed their skills.
The river Liri lies to the south-east of Rome, but in the late 18th century was in the kingdom of Naples. The area was little visited by artists at the time.
Purchased 2005 with financial assistance from the Art Fund (No.2005.10)
