Gaspard Dughet, 'Imaginary Landscape with Buildings in Tivoli', about 1670

In this tranquil scene, two figures and a dog sit at the roadside and glance towards another figure whose animated animated gesture is ambiguous. He could be one of their group or someone running to them with news, being playful or argumentative. Various types of plant and tree are painted in intricate detail and subtle variations of green-brown tones shimmer in the sunlight. The path and tree leaning to the left lead our eye from the foreground across the landscape and into the distance.

The buildings on the rocky hilltop were once thought to represent the small and ancient town of Ariccia, south-east of Rome. When Dughet painted the picture Ariccia was owned by the family of Alexander VII Chigi, who was pope from 1655 until 1667. But by the late seventeenth century it had developed into a substantial settlement, and Dughet’s town looks quite modest. It is more likely that this landscape was inspired by Tivoli, north-east of Rome.

On the left, the raised road supported by arches and leading to a gateway is similar to what is now called the Via di Quintilio Varo in Tivoli. To the right of this, the tower with a gateway is based on the Porta S. Angelo, which leads to the Via di Quintilio Varo. The lower tower behind is the so-called Villa of Maecenas.

This painting has long been hung with Dughet’s Landscape with a Shepherd and his Flock, but they were not necessarily intended by the artist to be a pair.