Roman School, 18th century, Still life with Melon and grapes

Roman School, 18th century Still life with Melon and grapes Oil on canvas, 56 x 93 cm Framed 70 x 108 cm The present still life, in terms of stylistic composition and coloristic elaboration, refers to the school of central Italy of the 18th century, in particular the Roman area. This is a painter familiar with the art of the Castelli family, who specialized in the still life genre. There were two brothers: Bartolomeo (also known as the Elder) and Giovanni Paolo (known as Spadino). The latter had a son: Bartolomeo, known as the Younger. In their compositions with bright and shiny colors, as in the present still life, melons or opened watermelons and architectural elements are often depicted. In the present work, a melon surrounded by peaches, juicy figs, and grapes is depicted on the bare ground. In the background, we perceive only the base of an architectural element in an indistinct landscape.