Summer Evening, Landscape in Italy (1773 CE)

Summer Evening, Landscape in Italy, painted in 1773 by Claude-Joseph Vernet, is a captivating oil on canvas that transports viewers to a serene Italian twilight. This evocative work, housed at the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo, Japan, features bathers by a river, a bridge, and a distant city, all bathed in the soft, atmospheric light of a summer evening. As part of a series depicting a fictional Italian landscape at different times of day, this painting invites exploration of Vernet’s mastery in blending naturalism with romanticized beauty, offering a glimpse into the idyllic charm of 18th-century European art.

Claude-Joseph Vernet, a prominent French landscape and marine painter, created this work late in his career, drawing on his extensive time in Italy from 1734 to 1753. Painted in 1773, Summer Evening, Landscape in Italy reflects Vernet’s fascination with the Italian countryside, where he honed his ability to capture dramatic light and atmospheric effects. The painting is part of a series that includes a companion piece, Morning, from the same year, though its current location is unknown. Created during the height of neoclassicism, the work was admired by contemporaries like Denis Diderot for its naturalism and dynamic compositions. Its creation aligns with the Enlightenment’s growing appreciation for nature and idealized landscapes, influencing later artists like the Impressionists.

Vernet’s broader career provides intriguing context. Known for his theatrical approach to landscapes, Vernet often worked on commissions for European aristocracy, blending real and imagined scenes to evoke emotion. During his time in Italy, he was known to sketch “en plein air,” capturing fleeting light effects that inspired works like this one. The painting’s bathers, though generic, reflect a common 18th-century practice of including figures to animate landscapes, adding a lively human element to the tranquil setting. 

The artwork holds a significant place within the neoclassical movement and the evolution of landscape painting. Vernet’s work bridges the classical landscapes of the 17th century, inspired by Claude Lorrain, with the romanticized naturalism that would define later French art. The painting’s focus on atmospheric light and idealized scenery reflects the Enlightenment’s fascination with nature as both beautiful and sublime. Its symbolic value lies in its portrayal of an idyllic, timeless Italy, a vision that resonated with European audiences seeking escapism. The work’s influence is evident in its impact on the Barbizon School and Impressionists, who adopted Vernet’s emphasis on light and mood. 

The painting is an oil on canvas measuring 89 cm x 133 cm (35 in x 52.4 in). Signed and dated “J. Vernet. 1773” in the lower left corner, it showcases Vernet’s skillful use of oil to create soft, glowing effects, particularly in the twilight sky and reflections on the river. The composition features recurring motifs in Vernet’s work—cliffs, trees, a river, a bridge, and a distant city—arranged to create a harmonious, balanced scene. These elements are not tied to a specific location but are a composite of Italian vistas, reflecting Vernet’s practice of reworking favored motifs. The dimensions allow for detailed rendering of natural forms, enhancing the painting’s atmospheric depth and emotional resonance.

The journey of Summer Evening, Landscape in Italy through various collections underscores its enduring value. Initially owned by Lespinasse d’Artel, the painting was auctioned in Paris on July 11, 1803. It later passed to De Preuil and then Boisgerard, appearing at another Paris auction on March 6, 1820. By 1873, it was in the possession of De Forest and auctioned in Paris on April 2. The painting then came into the hands of Henry Lapauze, who sold it at Christie’s in London in 1908. Subsequently, it was held in a private Paris collection and handled by Cailleux in Paris before being acquired by the National Museum of Western Art in Tokyo, where it remains today.