Artwork
View of the Waterfalls at Tivoli
View of the Waterfalls at Tivoli is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Jean-Joseph-Xavier Bidauld. It dates from 1788 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower right: J.ph.Bidauld / 1788.; upper center reverse: grote de la sibylle a Tivoli / 1788
About this work
This painting shows soft morning light on Tivoli’s cliffs and waterfalls. Jean Bidauld painted it on paper glued to canvas in 1788. Rocks rise on the left, a cascade spills on the right, and a tiny figure sits near the water.
Bidauld mixes warm sun with cool mist. The paper support makes the colors look fresh, not faded.
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Technique & Style
Created in 1788, this landscape by Jean-Joseph-Xavier Bidauld is executed in oil paint applied to paper, which has subsequently been mounted onto a canvas support. The work measures 50.8 cm in height and 38.1 cm in width. As a representative example of the landscape genre from the late eighteenth century, the piece utilizes the specific material combination of oil, paper, and canvas to depict its subject matter.
Overview
Jean-Joseph-Xavier Bidauld's View of the Waterfalls at Tivoli, painted in 1788, captures a dramatic Italian landscape. This oil on paper mounted on canvas exemplifies the artist's approach to natural scenery. Created during his stay in Italy, the work reflects the Rococo period's appreciation for picturesque views and atmospheric effects, presenting a specific moment in time and light.
Subject & Meaning
A small, solitary figure seated near the water provides a sense of scale and human presence within the vast natural setting.
The painting depicts the famous waterfalls and cliffs of Tivoli under the soft illumination of morning light. Towering rock formations anchor the left side, while a powerful cascade dominates the right. A small, solitary figure seated near the water provides a sense of scale and human presence within the vast natural setting.
Bidauld skillfully contrasts the warmth of the rising sun with the cool mist generated by the falling water.
History & Provenance
Born in Carpentras, France, Jean-Joseph-Xavier Bidauld initially trained under his brother in Lyons. His artistic journey led him to Paris in 1783, where he secured sponsorship from an art dealer. This patronage enabled him to spend five years studying and painting in Italy, a period during which he produced works like View of the Waterfalls at Tivoli in 1788, directly engaging with Italian scenery.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Joseph-Xavier Bidauld (10 April 1758 – 20 October 1846) was a French painter.
