View of Lake Agnano at Sunrise

(Prosper François Barrigues de Fontainieu)

The subject of this work, titled in the livret of the Salon, View of Lake Agnano
at Sunrise, would have been immediately familiar to the Salon visitors.
An ancient volcanic crater, situated in the Campi Flegrei just west of
Naples, Agnano was known to the Greeks and Romans for its hot springs
and the six-story Thermae Anianae (Thermal Baths) built for visitors,
a portion of which can be seen at left.
By the Middle Ages a lake had formed in the crater, and its proximity
to the city of Naples made it popular with visitors on the grand tour
as well as artists venturing out into the campagna. Barrigues has chosen the view from the eastern
side of the lake, looking south-west towards the
Mediterranean, with Mount Vesuvius on the extreme
left and the city of Naples hidden behind the hill.
His composition follows the conventions established
by Claude and re-established by Valenciennes, but
with a deeper and warmer palette than the latter.
The title ‘Sunrise’ is puzzling as the artist has chosen
a south-westerly view and the sun seems to be
disappearing over the horizon.
It is difficult to reconcile this title with the
warm glow that illuminates the distant clouds with
a morning sun that would have risen behind the artist.
One may assume that the title in the livret was an
unintended error.

Exhibited: Paris Salon of 1802