Who painted Gondel an venezianischer Steintreppe (?)?

Gondel an venezianischer Steintreppe (?) was painted by Pieter van Laer in 1620.

Where can I see Gondel an venezianischer Steintreppe (?)?

Gondel an venezianischer Steintreppe (?) is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Gondel an venezianischer Steintreppe (?)?

Gondel an venezianischer Steintreppe (?) is associated with Caravaggisti.

Artwork

Gondel an venezianischer Steintreppe (?)

Pieter van Laer , 1620

Gondel an venezianischer Steintreppe (?) is an unspecified painting by the Caravaggisti artist Pieter van Laer. It dates from 1620 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections. Created circa 1620, this oil painting portrays a gondola positioned before a stone staircase that suggests a Venetian setting.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1620, this oil painting portrays a gondola positioned before a stone staircase that suggests a Venetian setting. The work is attributed to Pieter van Laer, a Dutch artist who spent much of his career in Rome and is known for his detailed genre scenes.

Subject & Meaning

The composition juxtaposes a tranquil watercraft with the architectural solidity of a stairwell, inviting contemplation of everyday urban life in a Mediterranean port. By focusing on ordinary elements, a boat, stone steps, the painting reflects the artist’s interest in the quotidian rather than grand historical narratives.

Technique & Style

Executed with a naturalistic approach, the piece employs strong contrasts of light and shadow, a hallmark of the Caravaggisti. Careful modeling of the gondola’s wooden texture and the roughness of the stone steps demonstrates van Laer’s attention to material detail and chiaroscuro effects.

History & Provenance

Pieter van Laer, nicknamed Il Bamboccio by the Bentvueghels, produced the work during his long residence in Rome, where he helped shape the Bamboccianti circle of Northern and Italian painters. The painting entered the collection of the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains on display.

Context

Van Laer’s oeuvre bridges Dutch genre painting and the Roman Baroque environment, reflecting the cross‑cultural exchange of the early 17th century. His focus on everyday scenes contributed to a broader movement that favored realistic depictions of common people and urban settings.