(Vienna 1787–1828 Dresden)
“La Cascate di Piedemonte”, old title on the reverse, signed, dated Jos. Rebell 181., oil on canvas, 45 x 61 cm, framed, (Rei)

Compare:
Sabine Grabner and Claudia Wöhrer (ed.), Italienische Reisen. Landschaftsbilder österreichischer und ungarischer Maler. 1770–1850, exhibition catalogue, Belvedere Vienna 2002, pp. 207–209, ill. 44–47.

We are grateful to Dr. Sabine Grabner for her scientific assistance.

In 1817 Josef Rebell embarked on several trips to the Roman Campagna, which also took him to the village of Piedimonte Matese, which, as the name suggests, is situated at the foot of the Matese massif. In several oil paintings, he captured the town itself and the surrounding landscape with great attention to detail. A view of the village, which extends picturesquely over a hillside, as well as a forest landscape near Piedimonte Matese, which shows the Torano River, are located in the Oberösterreichisches Landesmuseum in Linz (inv. no. 820-1-G 2011 and 820-1-G 2010). The present lot probably also depicts the Torano River, which flows down over stone steps and rapids. Rebell contrasts the bubbling water – the wildness of nature – with the peaceful evening light gushing warmly in the background over the rooftops of the village.