Carmine la Pira (active in Naples and surroundings, 19th century), 'View of the Bay of Naples with Castel Sant'Elmo in the distance'

Carmine la Pira (active in Naples and surroundings, 19th century), 'View of the Bay of Naples with Castel Sant'Elmo in the distance'

signed ‘Carmine la Pira’ lower right. Carmine la Pira is known for his paintings of panoramas and views of Naples, Capri and the surrounding area. The La Piras family (Gioacchino, Carmine and Gastone) are, together with Gaetano Dura (1805-1878), the artists who contributed to the genre of Neapolitan gouache (watercolour). For centuries, Naples has been an important stop on the so-called Grand Tour, the cultural journey that was essential for the general development of the European aristocracy. For the wealthy travellers, works of art with Neapolitan views such as this gouache represented a memory to take home as a souvenir.

Gouache, 42,5 x 63 cm.