The foot of Vikovary on the road from Tivoli in Subiaco 

Alexander Ivanov made this landscape study of the Roman campagna, likely in the 1830s, using oils on paper. In 19th century Europe, landscape painting was more than just a record of nature; it was deeply intertwined with ideas of national identity, religious sentiment, and the sublime. Here, Ivanov captures the distinctive light and atmosphere of the Italian countryside. You can imagine how this might have appealed to a Russian audience, offering a glimpse of a culture considered both classical and exotic. Ivanov was a product of the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg, an institution that promoted Neoclassical ideals, and he spent a significant portion of his career in Italy, supported by the Academy. Studying these landscapes by Ivanov, as well as his correspondence and the records of the Academy helps us to appreciate not only the artist's vision, but also the powerful role of institutions in shaping artistic careers and influencing the kind of art that was valued.