Description
In his watercolors, Foster depicted an idealized life in rural England. His work was appreciated as Pre-Raphaelite in its intricate detail, but was without the harsh color and unorthodox subjects that made the brotherhood controversial. Foster’s watercolors proved enormously appealing to the Victorians; each new work was eagerly anticipated, and color lithographs after his watercolors helped popularize his imagery. While the English countryside was the inspiration for much of his work, he traveled abroad regularly, and made several trips to Italy in the 1870s. A view of peasants picnicking at the gates of Castel Gandolfo overlooking Lake Albano is the subject of this watercolor.
Provenance
(V.G. Fischer Art Galleries, Washington, D.C.) (unknown); Fanny Tewksbury King [1867-1949], Cleveland Heights, OH, given to The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (?-1946); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (November 25, 1946-)
Accession Number
1946.285
Medium
watercolor
Dimensions
Sheet: 16.5 x 23.8 cm (6 1/2 x 9 3/8 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Credit Line
In memory of Ralph King, gift of Mrs. Ralph King; Ralph T. Woods, Charles G. King; and Frances King Schafer
Tags
Drawing Impressionist & Modern (1851–1900) Watercolor British Color: Yellow Color: Gray
Background & Context
Background Story
View of Castel Gandolfo by Myles Birket Foster, painted around the 1870s, depicts one of the most picturesque towns in the Alban Hills outside Rome. Castel Gandolfo, perched on the rim of an extinct volcanic crater overlooking Lake Albano, has been celebrated since antiquity for its dramatic setting and mild climate. The Papal summer residence was established there in the seventeenth century, making it a destination for aristocratic travelers and artists alike. Foster, one of the most successful English watercolorists of the Victorian era, was renowned for his meticulous detail and luminous color. His views of Italian scenery were among his most sought-after works, reflecting the insatiable British appetite for Italian landscapes that had been fueled by the Grand Tour tradition. The 1870s placed this work at a poignant moment in Italian history—the decade when Rome was finally incorporated into the unified Kingdom of Italy, ending the Papal States' temporal power. Foster's view of the town likely captures it in a state of transition, with its ancient and Renaissance architecture still dominating the landscape. His technique combined the precision of the Pre-Raphaelite influence with a more fluid approach to light and atmosphere, creating scenes of remarkable clarity and warmth. The popularity of works like this fueled the Victorian tourist industry and shaped British perceptions of Italy for generations.
Cultural Impact
Foster's Italian views shaped British perceptions of the Italian landscape and fueled the Victorian tourist industry, making Castel Gandolfo and similar destinations icons of cultural pilgrimage.
Why It Matters
This work demonstrates how Victorian watercolor masters combined topographical accuracy with artistic feeling, creating images that served as both beautiful artworks and cultural touchstones for the Anglo-Italian artistic relationship.
