Giovanni Ghisolfi (Milan 1623 - Rome 1683).

Painter of architectural views mainly invented or assembled with existing, historical elements. He is as yet not sufficiently understood as one of the founders of the architectural landscape. Some compositions and especially his figure style seem somewhat indebted to Salvatore Rosa’s melancholical mood, but this is not always the case and he is not a follower of Rosa. He has, in the end, a very characteristic style and atmosphere. He paints in a precise way, with well placed brushstrokes and sharp contrasts and plastic details reinforced with black. Andrea Busiri Vici’s monograph on Ghisolfi (Giovanni Ghisolfi 1623-1683. Un pittore milanese di rovine romane) is still valid. But also Davis Marshall’s comments in various occasions should be taken into account, also when Marshall writes about other artists, like Panini. For instance his article ‘Early Panini reconsidered: the Esztergom Preaching of an Apostle and the relationship between Panini and Ghisolfi’ in Artibus et historiae, 18.1997,36, p. 137-199) is fundamental.

Art valuations - Giovanni Ghisolfi (Milan 1623 - Rome 1683).