After a Shower near Pisa
- Artist: Giovanni Costa
- Date: late 19th century
- Medium: Oil on wood
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is "After a Shower near Pisa" by Giovanni Costa, painted in the Italian north. Created in the late 19th century, this oil on wood piece captures the serene beauty of a tranquil scene. The artist uses soft brushstrokes and delicate touches to convey the gentle atmosphere after a shower.
The painting's focal point is the hillside, where clouds dance above the line of trees. The artist masterfully suggests the movement of the clouds with quick, sweeping strokes, giving the impression of energy and lightness. In contrast, the foreground is rendered in minute detail, with countless tiny touches of colour that evoke the presence of wild flowers.
Note how the artist's use of colour creates a sense of depth and dimensionality in the painting, drawing the viewer's eye through the scene. The overall effect is one of peacefulness and calm, inviting the viewer to step into the idyllic world before them.
See it in person
After a Shower near Pisa 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.
