Giuseppe Zais (1709-1784)
Giuseppe Zais (Forno di Canale d'Agordo 1709-Treviso 1784)
Expertise written by Prof. E. Martini
Canvas dimensions: 37x27cm
Frame dimensions: 45x35cm
He debuted in the circle of Marco Ricci where he learned the vigorous chiaroscuro contrasts that characterized his early works. He then replaced landscapes with ruins with landscapes of idyllic and pastoral tone, with modes similar to Francesco Zuccarelli, his teacher in Venice. Compared to Zuccarelli however he is more rustic and genuine without a trace of affectation; the nature he represents always remains in an Arcadian setting. Landscape is in fact the genre in which he best expresses his pictorial and coloristic abilities, demonstrating great skill in landscapes ranging from a very light and light chromatic range to a more consistent and robust one. He was also a valuable "battle painter". Several of his works are kept at the Correr Museum in Venice.
