“Lake Albano”
“Lake Albano” or “Lago Di Albano” is an oil on canvas painting from circa 1825 made by the Russian Romantic and landscape artist, Sylvester Shchedrin. This small lake is located within a volcanic crater that is located just southeast of Rome, Italy. Quite picturesque, it has been the subject of many artists’ paintings, including George Inness. “Lake Albano” is often regarded as one of Shchedrin’s masterpieces.
Shchedrin, though trained classically, sought to paint scenes realistically and wanted to give beauty to the simplest scenes. He used more natural colors, and integrated more fully the subject of what he was painting into the background. Rather than having the background look like a separate and unrelated backdrop, it was part of the scene.
Shchedrin liked to work en plein air. He was one of the founders of the School of Posillipo from Naples, Italy. His art, and the work of his peers is often regarded as laying the essential foundation needed to move from academic art to Impressionism.
In this painting, the water and air seem to glow with the surrounding sunlight. The sunlight filters through the trees, creating a dappling effect on the walking path. There are two women resting on the left, taking in the view of their surroundings. A man, boy, and donkey are approaching the scene on the right. The figures seem to blend into the scene, becoming part of the landscape.
“Lake Albano” is currently on display at the State Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
For more on Sylvester Shchedrin, please visit his short biography here.
You can find more artists to learn about here.
