A Ruin Caprice
- Artist: Francesco Guardi
- Date: 19th century
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the "A Ruin Caprice" painted in the Italian north during the 19th century. The artist's expressive brushstrokes and heavy-set lines are certainly reminiscent of Francesco Guardi, a master painter from this region. You can see how the thick white paint gives way to an expanse of blue sky, creating a sense of movement in the clouds.
The painting is an imaginary scene, but one that feels very real nonetheless. The artist's use of color and composition draws you into the world it depicts, inviting you to explore and imagine what might be happening within its bounds. It's a beautiful example of how art can transport us to new and exciting places.
See it in person
A Ruin Caprice hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
