Capriccio with the church of the Trinità dei Monti and the Fontana del Tritone, Rome,
oil on canvas, 189 x 187 cm, framed

Provenance:
Private European collection, since at least 1952

This painting represents an extensive view of part of the rione, or district of the Campo Marzio in Rome. In the centre background the church of Trinità dei Monti with its two bell towers can be clearly distinguished, with alongside, its connecting convent. Notably absent is the monumental stairway leading to the church up 135 steps inaugurated in 1725 at the behest of Benedict XIII.

The inclusion of the Fontana del Tritone in Piazza Barberini on the right edge of the canvas is characteristic of capriccio views, since in reality the fountain was not in front of the church, but some distance to the right. The fountain was conceived and made by Gian Lorenzo Bernini between 1642 and 1643 for Pope Urban VIII Barberini (see J. Curzietti, Gian Lorenzo e Luigi Bernini. Nuovi documenti per la Fontana del Tritone in piazza Barberini, in: Storia dell’Arte, no. 125/126, 2010, pp. 110-123). Its presence constitutes a terminus post quem for the execution of the present painting. The rest of the composition includes imaginary buildings in Piazza di Spagna, via Sistina and via Gregoriana of rustic appearance. It is possible that both the façade of the church and the fountain were drawn after engravings.