Marco Ricci - Wilderness Landscape with Two Monks

Marco Ricci was a Venetian artist born in 1676 in Belluno, Italy. He was the nephew of the famous painter Sebastiano Ricci and trained under his uncle in Venice. Marco Ricci became famous for his landscapes, which were influenced by the style of Dutch painters such as Jan Both and Nicolaes Berchem. Ricci's paintings often depicted idyllic scenes of rural life, with peasants working in the fields or tending livestock. He also painted views of Venice and other Italian cities, as well as historical and mythological subjects. In addition to his painting career, Ricci was also a stage designer, working on productions in Venice and London. He collaborated with his uncle on several theatre projects, including the sets for Handel's opera Giulio Cesare in London. Marco Ricci died in Venice in 1730, leaving behind a legacy of beautiful landscape paintings that are still admired today.