Who painted Landscape with Monks?

Landscape with Monks was painted by Sebastiano Ricci in 1705.

Where can I see Landscape with Monks?

Landscape with Monks is held by National Galleries Scotland.

What movement is Landscape with Monks?

Landscape with Monks is associated with High Baroque Italian.

Artwork

Landscape with Monks

Sebastiano Ricci , 1705

Landscape with Monks is an oil painting by the High Baroque Italian artist Sebastiano Ricci. It dates from 1705 and is held in the collection of the National Galleries Scotland.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1705, Landscape with Monks is an oil painting by Venetian artist Sebastiano Ricci. Executed during the height of the Italian Baroque, the work is part of the collection of the Scottish National Gallery. It presents a tranquil valley scene populated by cloistered figures, combining a natural setting with a contemplative religious presence.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a group of monks gathered near a still water feature, some seated, others standing, all clad in white habits. Their quiet activity within the open landscape suggests a moment of meditation or communal prayer, linking the spiritual life of the order to the surrounding natural world.

Technique & Style

Ricci employs a luminous palette that balances warm earth tones with cooler blues and greens, allowing light to filter across the terrain. Visible brushwork creates a textured surface, while the handling of foliage and distant hills reflects the dynamic vigor characteristic of late Baroque painting. The figures are rendered with a fluid, graceful manner.

History & Provenance

The painting was produced in the early 18th century, a period when Ricci was renowned for his energetic compositions and collaborations with contemporaries such as Giambattista Piazzetta and Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. After changing hands among private collections, it entered the Scottish National Gallery, where it remains on display.

Context

Ricci’s work reflects the influence of Pietro da Cortona’s grand manner, integrating a dramatic sense of space with a serene narrative. The inclusion of monastic figures within a pastoral setting aligns with a broader Baroque interest in depicting religious devotion amid everyday landscapes, merging sacred themes with naturalistic observation.