Hackert Catania, 19th century painting

Jacob Philipp Hackert was a German landscape painter, born in 1737 in Prenzlau, Brandenburg. He studied painting in Berlin and later in Italy, where he was greatly influenced by the works of Claude Lorrain and Nicolas Poussin. Hackert became known for his detailed and realistic depictions of landscapes, especially those with dramatic skies and ruins. Hackert spent much of his career working for various European courts, including those in Naples, Rome and Stuttgart. He was also a member of the Accademia di San Luca in Rome and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Naples. His paintings were highly sought after by collectors and he received numerous commissions from wealthy patrons. Hackert's style evolved over time, with his early works being more traditional and his later works incorporating elements of Romanticism. He was particularly skilled at capturing the mood and atmosphere of a scene, using light and shadow to create a sense of depth and drama. Hackert died in Florence in 1807, leaving a legacy as one of the most important landscape painters of his time. His works can be found in museums and galleries around the world, including the Louvre in Paris, the National Gallery in London and the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg.