River landscape with washerwomen and fishermen resting in front of a waterfall; Landscape with ruins and travellers, oil on canvas, 50 x 76 cm, framed (2)

Provenance:
European private collection

It is believed that Carlo Bonavia came originally from Rome, but was strongly influenced by the Neapolitan landscape tradition of Salvator Rosa and Leonardo Coccorante, as well as by the work of Claude-Joseph Vernet, who was active in Naples between 1737 and 1746.

Bonavia adopted several stylistic elements from Vernet, such as the subject matter, viewpoint and the Rococo palette of pale blues, creamy yellows, pinks and soft greens that are typical of his landscapes. These distinguish him from the more analytical approach that characterized other landscape paintings of the time.

The present pendant recall the typical pictorial atmosphere created by Bonavia; here his primary source of inspiration came from the area around Naples, which he reinvented into fantastical and imaginary views, reelaborating specific elements taken from life.

Bonavia’s reinterpretation of Vernet’s style was greatly appreciated by patrons, and his work was particularly popular amongst the Grand Tourists. One of his most prominent patrons was Count Karl Joseph Firmian (1716 – 82), Austrian ambassador to Naples between 1753 and 1758. He owned seventeen works by the painter, but most of these landscapes, views, and mythological and literary subjects remain unidentified today.

We are grateful to Professor Riccardo Lattuada for confirming the attribution after examining the present paintings in the original.