The Cascade at Tivoli

The Cascade at Tivoli from 1750 depicts one of the most celebrated natural landmarks near Rome, a destination that drew painters and Grand Tour travellers throughout the eighteenth century. Joseph Vernet captured the famous waterfall during his Italian years, creating a composition that balanced naturalistic observation with picturesque composition. Characteristic of Vernet's approach, the work displays dramatic atmospheric lighting, Claudean landscape structure, theatrical storm and calm effects.

The cascading water is rendered with attention to its movement and spray, with the surrounding rocks and vegetation framing the falls in a carefully composed arrangement of natural forms.