View of the Convent of Ara Coeli with Pines 1785

Pierre-Henri de Valenciennes made this painting of the Convent of Ara Coeli with Pines in Rome during a time when the city was a popular destination for artists from all over Europe. Paintings such as this reflect a fascination with the picturesque and the sublime, but also reveal the cultural and political contexts in which they were produced. Valenciennes spent time in Italy studying classical landscapes and architecture, and his painting reflects the interest in Neoclassicism that characterized the art world at the time. The Ara Coeli was a significant religious site in Rome, so this painting embodies a sense of historical grandeur, combined with an appreciation for the natural landscape. By studying the artist's biography, travel journals, and the art criticism of the time, we can understand how this painting was part of a larger cultural movement that sought to revive classical ideals and celebrate the beauty of the natural world.