Panorama of the Bay and Cities of Anzio and Nettuno 1674 - 1736

Caspar van Wittel created this panoramic vista of Anzio and Nettuno using pen and brown ink, employing a structure that gives primacy to linear elements. Note how the composition extends horizontally, emphasizing breadth and openness. Van Wittel uses the linear elements to meticulously define the architectural forms and the natural landscape. See how the delicate lines delineate the buildings and topography, creating a sense of depth and scale. The subtle gradations achieved through hatching suggest atmospheric perspective. Van Wittel’s strategic use of line to construct a landscape reflects a broader philosophical concern with representing space and reality. The linear precision invites us to consider how the drawing engages with contemporaneous ideas about topographical accuracy and pictorial representation. It is in this artistic tension between objective observation and subjective interpretation that the work finds its lasting resonance.