The Burning of Rome.
Oil on canvas, signed lower right "Petrus Calcu Pinxit Tau, 1791", preserved in an old giltwood frame. Relining, good condition.
At sight: H.: 36 cm - L.: 5 cm.
Frame: H: 39 cm - L.: 47 cm.
History: Pietro di Gottardo Gonzaga was born in Longarone, Italy in
1751. He was trained by Giuseppe Moretti and Antonio Visentini in Venice from 1769
to 1772. He was influenced by the art of Canaletto, Bibiena and Tipolo, but above all
by the Piranesi. He began his career as a director at La Scalla in
creating decor projects for the ballets of Canziani and Gallet until 1792.
His life changed after meeting Prince Nicolas Yousoupoff, sent
staff of Empress Catherine II of Russia for the Italian states, which
was based in Turin from 1784 to 1789. Youssoupoff returned to Saint Petersburg in
1791 when he was in charge of the organization of the cultural events of the court, this
which placed him at the head of the state theater company. It is impossible to affirm
whether Gonzaga was invited to Russia on the initiative of Prince Youssoupoff or by
Giacomo Quarenghi, but in 1792 he signed with Prince Youssoupoff a
contract which engaged him as chief decorator for all the theaters of Saint Petersburg, a contract accompanied by enormous remuneration. Youssoupoff remained his
most faithful support until the death of the artist in Saint Petersburg in 1831.
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