(Düsseldorf 1827–1905)
Scene at dusk on the terrace of Villa Grazioli in Grottaferrata, signed, dated Osw. Achenbach 1887,
oil on canvas, 90.5 x 134 cm, framed, (Rei)

Provenance:
Private Collection, Rhineland;
Düsseldorfer Auktionshaus, 21 November 2012, lot 4;
Private Collection, Germany.

Oswald Achenbach, as did his equally famous brother Andreas, studied at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf. Early on, thanks to their father’s support, the talented young men were given the opportunity to take several trips through Europe. These travels influenced both their styles, and while Andreas specialized in northern subjects, Oswald dedicated himself to painting the southern scenery.
Already compulsory to any trip to the Italian Peninsula in the 19th century were visits to the numerous villas in Rome and the surrounding Alban Hills.
Jewels of the Italian Renaissance, with their sculptures, fountains and frescoes, these mansions were popular amongst travellers, artists and intellectuals alike.
Oswald Achenbach visited several of those villas as we can see in his paintings of the Villa d’Este, Medici and Torlonio In the present work, Achenbach bring us to a peaceful evening on the terrace of one of those country estates. We are standing in the shade, contemplating the locals and some travellers as the sun sets over the campagna, bathed in a typical southern, warm light.