Andrea Locatelli was an Italian painter of landscapes (or vedute), born in Rome in 1695. His work is part of the Roman landscape tradition that follows in the footsteps of artists like Claude Lorrain and Gaspard Dughet. Locatelli's landscapes are characterized by their classical composition and often include ruins and pastoral figures, reflecting the idyllic and romantic view of nature prevalent among artists of his time.
Locatelli received his early training in the studio of a little-known painter, Monsù Altoforno, but his style was most heavily influenced by the works of the aforementioned Lorrain and Dughet, whose Arcadian landscapes were admired for their poetic interpretation of nature.
Throughout his career, Locatelli remained in Rome, where he contributed substantially to the decorative schemes of Roman palazzi and villas. His landscapes were sought after by collectors and connoisseurs of the Grand Tour, the traditional trip of Europe undertaken by mainly upper-class European young men of means, aimed at enriching their education and culture.
The artist's works were often populated with small figures, sometimes from biblical or mythological narratives, set in expansive, serene settings that showcased his skillful handling of light and atmosphere. Although not as well known today as some of his contemporaries, Locatelli's paintings were influential in the development of the Italian landscape painting tradition.
Andrea Locatelli died relatively young, in 1741, in his native city of Rome. His art continues to be appreciated for its contribution to the Italian veduta and for its depiction of the Roman countryside during the 18th century.
