Villa d'Este, Tivoli

Artist John Robert Cozens (London, England, 1752 - 1797)

Date1778

Mediumwatercolour on paper

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 35.1 cm, Width: 53.3 cm
Frame: Height: 68.2 cm, Width: 85.6 cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1949 with income from the Webster Bequest.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG003352

Keywords

About MeJohn Robert was the son of the painter Alexander Cozens, who specialised in idealised and Italianate landscapes. In August 1776 J.R. Cozens travelled with the draughtsman and critic Richard Payne Knight, across Switzerland and Italy, where he remained until 1779.

During his trip Cozens had the opportunity to see Rome and its environs which inspired sketches and finished water-colours. This watercolour depicts a 15th century villa in Tivoli, belonging to Cardinal Ippolito d'Este, surrounded by its magnificent gardens. The vivid turquoise-blue colour and a warm, pale evening light, typical of Cozens' Italian views, are here accompanied by an accentuation of black touches in the foreground foliage.

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The Villa d'Este, built for a church grandee to escape Rome's hot summers and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for its gardens and fountains,