SEBASTIANO RICCI (1659–1734)

Oil on canvas. Expert analysis: Dr. Dario Succi, Gorizia. This small oil sketch depicts a monk in prayer in the wilderness. Oil sketches, called bozzetto, gradually evolved into an independent art form. In the 18th century, in particular, bozzetti were very popular in Venice and some of the most important Venetian painters such as Sebastiano Ricci, Giambattista Tiepolo, Francesco Pittoni, and Giovanni Battista Piazzetta were prolific creators of them. This new peak of expressive formulation and strong colour rapidly spread throughout southern Germany.