A View of the Bay of Naples, Looking Southwest from the Pizzofalcone towards Capo di Posilippo (detail), 1791, Giovanni Battista Lusieri. Watercolor, gouache, graphite, and pen and ink on six sheets of paper. The J. Paul Getty Museum
The Lure of Italy: Artists' Views
GETTY CENTER
The Getty Center
From the crumbling ruins of ancient Rome to the crystal clear light of Venice, Italy has fascinated travelers and artists for centuries. Painters and draftsmen have found inspiration not only in the cities but also in the countryside and in the deep history and culture. Visiting from France, England, the Netherlands, and Germany, artists drew sketches to preserve vivid memories, creating works of extraordinary atmosphere and beauty. Their Italian counterparts responded to the tourist demand for souvenirs by crafting their own masterpieces. Featuring works from the Getty Museum’s collection by R. P. Bonington, Claude Lorrain, Giovanni Battista Lusieri, and Canaletto, this exhibition captures the essence and spirit of Italy.
