Francesco Foschi

FRANCESCO FOSCHI (Ancona, 1710 - Rome, 1780).
"Winter landscape".
Oil on canvas.
It has a frame of the eighteenth century.
Measurements: 69.5 x 108 cm; 85 x 122 cm (frame).
A cold winter landscape is the protagonist of this composition. In all the painting predominates a cold range of grays and whites that contrast with the earthy tonalities. In the scene we can see how the artist starts from an image of the rural daily life of his environment and transmits to the viewer an idealized vision of country life and the consequences of winter. In fact, it can be seen in the center of the image how anecdotally a woman brings a blanket close to a child who extends his hands towards the small fire.
Stylistically, it is important to highlight the use of a limited chromatic palette, composed of whites, a careful range of grays and small touches of brown and ochre that highlight areas of the terrain not covered by snow. These tones, combined with a precise and refined technique, make it possible to establish a relationship with Foschi's painting.
Francesco Foschi's family was closely linked to the Ferretti counts of Castelferretti, whose lineage was then one of the most powerful in the Mark of Ancona; his brothers Carlo, Giacomo and Lorenzo were also painters. In 1726 he settled in Fano, a pupil of the painter Francesco Mancini, from whom he learned to paint pictures with figures. However, Foschi soon specialized in landscape painting. He seems to have lived in Rome with his family from 1729 to 1743, but was not a member of the Accademia di San Luca. His first documented commission dates from this period. From 1746 he lived in Loreto, where in addition to being a painter he was an art dealer and maintained frequent relations with Count Bonaccorsi, one of the most important patrons of the time. During these years he developed one of his favorite themes: the winter landscape.

Foschi's art was part of the great Roman schools; in addition to his first master Francesco Mancini, his reference models were the Bolognese Guido Reni, his compatriot Carlo Maratta and the Roman Ciro Ferri. After another stay in Rome, in 1755 he moved to Pesaro. In 1764 he returned to Rome, where he set up his studio in Piazza di Spagna. However, he continued to return frequently to the Marche, as evidenced by the subjects of his paintings. This was the period in which his art reached its peak; in fact, the best-known winter landscapes date from these years.