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The Villa of Maecenas, Tivoli

John 'Warwick' Smith

1781

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Rococo painting Romanticism 18th Century Landscape

Dominant colour

The Villa of Maecenas, Tivoli is a 1781 watercolor by John 'Warwick' Smith, a Rococo painting work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: John 'Warwick' Smith
When & what style?: 1781 · Rococo painting
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This painting shows a misty, green valley with a winding path leading up to an old stone building on a hill. A waterfall splashes down the right side, and trees with pale leaves line the slopes. The sky above is soft and cloudy, blending into the distant ruins. The artist focused on nature’s quiet drama—ruins half-hidden by trees, like a forgotten story. The watercolor looks light and sketchy, almost like a quick sketch. Next, check out Romanticism to see how artists used nature to tell bigger stories.

The story of this work

Overview

A watercolour by John 'Warwick' Smith from 1781 depicts the Villa of Maecenas in Tivoli, showing a prominent waterfall cascading down the near side of the structure.

Read the full account in the museum source.