(Bergamo 1759–1839 Milan)
Fishermen on Lake Maggiore, View of the Isola Bella, Isola Madre and Verbania from Stresa, signed Gozzi P, oil on canvas, 39 x 49.5 cm, framed

The Italian landscape painter Marco Gozzi grew up in the province of Bergamo. There is no clear information about his artistic training. His paintings often capture his native surrounding, including nearby Lake Maggiore, shown in the present lot which depicts Isola Bella with its characteristic terraced gardens. A palace was built on the island by order of Count Carlo III Borromeo for his wife Isabella in the 17th century, which until then had been home only to a small fishing village. Isola Isabella - which over the course of time became Isola Bella - owes its name to her. In addition to the palace and the beautiful gardens, the painting also shows the statue of a unicorn, symbol of the Borromeo family, enthroned above. The neighbouring island of Isola Madre and opposite it the town of Verbania with its church tower of San Leonardo in the Pallanza district are visible in the background, against an impressive mountainous backdrop. Isola Bella lies in complete stillness in the turquoise waters of the lake, while in the foreground fishermen are busy hauling in their nets.