Capriccio with St. Paul's and Old London Bridge by Joli in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, January 2022

Title: Capriccio with St. Paul's and Old London Bridge

Artist: Antonio Joli (Italian, Modena 1700–1777 Naples)

Medium: Oil on canvas

Dimensions: 42 x 47 in. (106.7 x 119.4 cm)

Classification: Paintings

Credit Line: Bequest of Alice Bradford Woolsey, 1970

Accession Number: 1970.212.2

A pupil of Paolo Panini in Rome, Joli was active as a scene painter in northern Italy and especially in Venice (1732–42), where he was influenced by the work of Canaletto. From 1744 until 1748 he worked in London at the King's Theatre in the Haymarket and also produced topographical paintings. This painting combines the two genres: the imaginary foreground is inspired by antiquity, while in the background is a view of the north bank of the Thames with St. Paul's cathedral, the Tower of London, and Old London Bridge.


Text from: www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436782