A Capriccio with Horses Watering in a River Outside a Walled Town c. 1720

Editor: So, this is Marco Ricci's "A Capriccio with Horses Watering in a River Outside a Walled Town," made around 1720. It looks like a gouache and watercolor painting, and I'm immediately struck by its dreamlike quality and the interesting juxtaposition of the rustic scene with these grand architectural ruins. What catches your eye? Curator: What's interesting to me is how Ricci blends fantasy with a critique of Venetian society's relationship with its own history. These "capriccio" scenes, while seemingly innocent landscapes, became a popular genre precisely because they allowed artists to subtly comment on the decay and the idealization of the past, catering to a market of wealthy tourists and nobles. How do you interpret the inclusion of the classical ruins alongside the everyday scene of animals drinking? Editor: I suppose I see the ruins as a kind of romantic backdrop, but your interpretation makes me wonder if Ricci is maybe being critical of those who are more interested in a fantasized past than the present reality? It almost feels like he’s pointing out the disconnect. Curator: Exactly! And consider the market for these works. Ricci isn’t just painting pretty pictures; he’s producing commodities for consumption, primarily by a class that often benefited from and perpetuated the very societal ills hinted at by the decaying structures. Does this change how you view the "dreamlike quality" you initially observed? Editor: Yes, it does. I still find it beautiful, but knowing it has a layer of social commentary makes it so much more complex and engaging. I originally took the picturesque quality at face value. I appreciate understanding the art market context. Curator: And that's where the richness lies – in understanding how artistic choices intersect with the social and economic currents of the time. Seeing beyond the immediate aesthetic appeal to recognize the layers of meaning embedded within. Editor: Absolutely. I'll never look at a "capriccio" the same way again!