Andrea Locatelli

Andrea Locatelli (1600-1705) was a highly respected Italian painter whose primary contribution was to the field of landscape art during the transition from the Roman Baroque to the early Rococo period. Though his active dates span an exceptionally long and transformative era in Italian artistic history, Locatelli established a distinctive and consistently successful style centered on the idealized classical landscape.

While the artist is formally known for his oil works, a significant measure of Locatelli’s compositional genius is visible in his detailed drawings, studies, and finished pieces currently housed in prominent North American collections, including the Art Institute of Chicago and the Cleveland Museum of Art. These graphic works, such as Figures Near the Ruins of a Corinthian Temple and Triumphal Arch and Figures, demonstrate a meticulous application of light and shadow, combined with a sustained interest in the ruins of the Roman Campagna.

Locatelli’s landscapes are not purely imaginative; they are sophisticated juxtapositions of monumental classical decay and the activity of contemporary life. Subtle figures, often captured performing mundane tasks like bathing or tending to livestock, anchor the otherwise timeless scenery, creating a nuanced tension between the historic past and the inhabited present. This blend allowed Locatelli to appeal to both Grand Tour patrons seeking picturesque souvenirs and connoisseurs who valued the classical structure of the veduta, or view painting.

Locatelli’s longevity is itself noteworthy; he witnessed Rome shift dramatically, yet his core adherence to the authoritative, classical landscape structure remained largely intact. It seems he prioritized the enduring pictorial structures established by earlier masters over fleeting stylistic preferences. Though many major Andrea Locatelli paintings remain within European collections, his legacy is increasingly accessible globally. As key examples of his preparatory drawings enter the public domain, they allow enthusiasts and scholars alike access to high-resolution files. This availability enables the production of exceptional high-quality prints, ensuring that the subtle nuances of his draftsmanship continue to inform modern appreciation.