HACKERT; JAKOB PHILIPP
1737 Prenzlau - 1807 Florence

Landscape near Cajazzo. Water coloured pen drawing on paper. 64 x 46;5cm. Signed and dated lower left: a Cajazzo 1798 / Filippo Hackert f. Framed.

Literature:
Nordhoff; Claudia und Reimer; Hans: Jakob Philipp Hackert 1737-1807. Verzeichnis seiner
Werke; Band II; Berlin 1994; cat.No. 912; without fig.

Assessment:
Dr. Claudia Nordhoff; Rome; January 21; 2014.

Provenance:
Auction Berlin; since then private ownership.

In her detailed assessment Claudia Nordhoff describes the different aspects of the creative work of Hackert; which characterise this large paper work.
From the 1770s onwards the artist has been known for his type of picture of the "tree-portrait": "...These are large-scale; brown washed drawings; which depict single trees; which can be botanically clearly identified; for the most part references to the exact location is made on these drawings. They were sold alternatively to his oil paintings by the artist. ..."

He depicts this botanic element of his creative work; which can in the broadest sense also be regarded as a subject of the Enlightenment; at a time and in a landscape; which are important to him each as an artist and as a human being. On his hikes around the year 1798; shortly before the end of his time as court painter in Naples; he documented the area around Cajazzo in the Volturno valley in various drawings almost cartographically. Some of the drawings of this series; among which one is the here presented; newly discovered sheet; can today be found in the collections of the museums in Vienna or Berlin.

"On the one hand the present drawing can be described as a significant example for Hackert's art in the depiction of trees. The tall oak unfolds its crown with the typical; small jagged leaves in front of a bright; cloudless summer sky; beneath which; only slighty hinted; the winding course of the Volturno stretches. The observer may almost feel the heat; that hangs over the river valley and the castle hill Caiazzo. Also the two women resting wearily beneath the tree inspire the observer's association of the hot; southern summer. On the other hand the sheet belongs to a documentation program; which Hackert dedicated to the region near Caiazzo: this is not just a random oak to be found anywhere in the width of the kingdom of Naples; but a certain; unique tree which was picked out by the artist from the diversity of natural forms and is presented to us for the contemplation of all its beauty. Having this in mind the observer feels almost tempted to explore the Volturno valley and to examine the presented view; maybe even the depicted oak; himself. An endeavour which surely would have gained Hackert's applause." [translation]Art trade; Van Ham.