Landscape Capriccio c. 1730 - 1740

Michele Marieschi painted Landscape Capriccio, an oil on canvas, sometime in the first half of the 18th century. Born in Venice, his paintings often reflect his interest in the theatrical, perhaps stemming from his early career as a stage designer. In this 'capriccio,' Marieschi creates an imaginary scene that blends architectural ruins with everyday life. Figures from different social classes populate this canvas. A woman leads a child down a set of stairs. Men on horseback pass through an archway. Other figures gather by the water's edge, some gesturing towards a passing boat. These groupings and interactions show a society in motion. Although the figures are rendered in small scale, they invite us to contemplate the complexities of social life in 18th-century Venice. Marieschi creates a stage on which to explore themes of class, gender, and the transient nature of human existence. The ruined architecture suggests a reflection on history and the passage of time, while the figures remind us of the ever-present human element.