Market square in Rome, 17th-century Roman school

17th-century Bamboccianti school
A market square in Rome
Oil on canvas, h. 74 cm, l. 104 cm.
Louis XIV-style carved and gilded wood frame.
Framed: h. 95 cm, w. 127 cm.
In this painting, the artist invites us to visit a market square in Rome. Clearly inspired by the Dutch school, the work captivates the eye with its multitude of characters: horsemen, peddlers, vendors and passers-by, noblemen, finely dressed soldiers, as well as peasants and commoners in simple clothes. The intense activity and bustle of the market are well represented in the poses and gestures of the characters. The scene is set against a backdrop of golden light, against which various architectural structures stand out. The author has conceived this work according to the models of the genre, although he introduces a new and discordant element in the form of the abandoned tower, which becomes the main element of the painting, with its heavy presence. This might suggest a slightly fantastical view of Rome, mixed with real and invented buildings.
The Bamboccianti were genre painters, active in Rome from 1625 until the end of the 17th century. They were mostly Dutch and Flemish artists who brought to Italy the tradition of depicting genre subjects typical of 16th-century Dutch art. They generally created paintings depicting the daily life of the lower classes in Rome and its countryside. Despite the humility of their subjects, these works were appreciated by elite collectors.