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Jan Both, 'A View on the Tiber', about 1641

About the work

Overview

Jan Both was one of a group of Dutch artists that made the long and often dangerous journey across the Alps to Italy, said at the time to be the heart of great painting. He stayed for ten years, becoming a leader in the development of Dutch Italianate landscape showing hardy peasants against softly glowing skies.

This painting is unusual for Both. He shows an urban view of architecture rather than a landscape and his view of the Ripa Grande – the old port of Rome – is partly imaginary. In his other paintings from a different viewpoint the scene is more recognisable. It seems that in painting this picture on his return to the Netherlands, Both is painting partly from memory and partly from imagination, but always with affection for the sunlit land he had left.

Key facts

Details

Full title
A View on the Tiber, near the Ripa Grande, Rome(?)
Artist
Jan Both
Artist dates
about 1615 - 1652
Date made
about 1641
Medium and support
oil on wood
Dimensions
42.1 × 55 cm
Inscription summary
Signed
Acquisition credit
Wynn Ellis Bequest, 1876
Inventory number
NG958
Location
Room 27
Collection
Main Collection
Previous owners

About this record

If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.

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