ACHILLE VERTUNNI, (Italian, 1826-1897), Paestum, oil on

ACHILLE VERTUNNI
(Italian, 1826-1897)
Paestum
oil on canvas
signed A. Vertunni Roma, l.l.
39 x 77 in., frame: 55 x 94 in.

Provenance: A New England Institution.

Other Notes: Achille Vertunni, a Neapolitan painter who moved to Rome in 1853, is best known for his romantic landscape depictions of ancient ruins. This was a popular genre at the time, due in large part to the Grand Tour enthusiasm for the subject matter. In this work, Vertunni depicts the ruins of the important ancient Greek town of Paestum, on the Tyrrhenian sea in present day Southern Italy. The three well-preserved Doric temples seen in the painting date to 550-450 BC. Two are dedicated to Hera (Juno) and one to Athena (Minerva).