School of Posillipo

The School of Posillipo, emerging around 1820 in Naples, Italy, marked a significant evolution in landscape painting, emphasizing light effects and pioneering a style that became central to southern Italian painting in the 19th century. This movement represented a collective of artists, including Anton Sminck Pitloo, Giacinto Gigante, Teodoro Duclere, Gabriele Smargiassi, Salvatore Fergola, and others, who focused on painting natural scenes with a new perspective.

Pitloo, a Dutch artist who moved to Naples in 1815, played a pivotal role in the formation of the School of Posillipo. He preferred painting outdoors, using natural lighting, which was a distinct shift from earlier landscape paintings that often anchored in classical stories or used subsidiary figures. Pitloo's preference for painting en plein air contributed significantly to the school's distinctive style, capturing the Neapolitan shore and daily life activities with a blend of idyllic romanticism and realism.

His students, like Giacinto Gigante, continued this tradition, bringing their own innovations. Gigante, known for his work with watercolors and collaboration on the book "Viaggio pittorico nel Regno delle Due Sicilie" ("Pictorial journey through the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies"), also incorporated elements of the camera lucida technique in his work.

The School of Posillipo's emphasis on landscape painting with a focus on light effects represented a shift in the art scene of the time, moving away from the Baroque and Neoclassical traditions that dominated earlier periods. This school's influence extended beyond Naples, impacting broader trends in Italian painting and paving the way for more impressionistic styles in the later 19th century, such as the Tuscan school of Macchiaioli.

For collectors and experts in art and antiques, the School of Posillipo offers a unique insight into the evolution of Italian landscape painting. Its distinctive approach to portraying natural scenery and daily life in Naples during the 19th century represents a significant period in art history. If you're interested in discovering more about this influential school and staying informed about related sales and auction events, consider signing up for our newsletter. This subscription will provide you with regular updates and exclusive opportunities to acquire pieces from the School of Posillipo​​​.