Harpsichord Painted with Views of the Roman Countryside and Figures

The Expertise

The three landscapes depicted on the three panels of the harpsichord appear to be the work of a good landscape painter of the 18th century. It is believed that this harpsichord’s painted decoration is to be attributed to Paolo Anesi. Comparisons with landscapes made by the Roman artist seem to confirm such attribution on grounds of manifest analogies in style. The arrangement of the four Countries is typical of Locatelli’s manner and, in the figures, one can also detect a relationship with the Anonymous landscape painter whose works have at times been related to the roman period of Hubert Robert. Yet the manner in which the foliage is treated is characteristic of Anesi, as it is the palette used. (25th March 1977 Giuliano Briganti)