“Landscape with an Imaginary View of Tivoli,” crafted by Claude Lorrain in 1642, is an exemplary work of Classicism painted with oil on copper. Measuring 25.7 by 21.6 centimeters, this symbolic painting is housed in the Courtauld Gallery in London, UK.
The artwork depicts a sweeping, romanticized landscape bathed in the warm light of either dawn or dusk. In the foreground, there is an elaborate bridge spanning a rocky gorge, adorned with cascading water emitting a soft sheen. A few figures, including a person on horseback, and a group of animals, populate the bridge, suggesting a narrative amidst the serene backdrop. On the right side of the composition, a majestic structure reminiscent of classical architecture perches on a cliff, overlooking a vast expanse. The sky, with dynamic streaks of light breaking through the clouds, enhances the painting’s atmospheric depth and evokes a sense of tranquility and grandeur.
