This extensive early 18th-century oil painting attributed to German artist Franz Joachim Beich (1665-1748) depicts a mountainous Italianate vista with Roman soldiers, buildings, and distant fortified town. Beich was a renowned painter of landscapes and religious scenes who became the court painter to Maximilian III Joseph, the Elector of Bavaria.
Backlit by the gentle glow of a falling sun, two Roman soldiers discuss their next move. One points into the distance, along a dusty trackway, as if to suggest a route ahead. Carefully rendered, their colourful forms are prominent against a muted, yet detailed, backdrop. To the right, a sinuous tree provides a clear vertical, which strengthens the composition. Beich often employed this technique when painting various views of the Italian countryside. While the mountains, with their distinguished strength and presence, guide the eye outwards across a far-reaching cornucopia of landmarks.
Although born in Germany, Beich developed his style during a ten-year tour of Italy. He worked predominantly in Rome, Livorno and Naples, gathering inspiration from the pioneers of landscape art. Gaspard Dughet (1615-1675), also known as Gaspard Poussin, was a key influence, and this is evident in Beich’s choice of composition and subject matter. Figures are often present in his work, either religious, allegorical or, as we see here, relating to history. During his time working for the Elector of Bavaria, he produced several large works depicting battles fought in Hungary.
Unlike many of his contemporaries, Beich had a keen eye for the effects of light and confidently applied intelligent highlights accordingly. This elevated his works with both depth and believability, despite the fact that his views were mostly idealised.
He’s represented at numerous museums, including the British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the V&A.
Held in a beautiful later frame with scroll and foliate decoration.
Learn more about Franz Joachim Beich in our directory.
Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 36½” x 25” / 93cm x 64cm
Year of creation: c. 1730
Provenance: Private collection, Germany.
Condition: Cleaned. Canvas relined. Areas of fine and settled craquelure, as you would expect. The paint layer is stable. Later stretcher. Frame in good condition with minor age-related wear.
Artist’s auction maximum: £48,339 for ‘The Beheading of James/The Sermon of John the Baptist (2)’, Oil on canvas, Vienna, 31 March 2009.
Our reference: BRV2193
