Giovanni Paolo Panini

Key facts

Lived

1691–1765

Movement

• Baroque

Works held in

56 museums^[1]

• Interior of a Picture Gallery with the Collection of Cardinal Silvio Valenti Gonzaga (sketch)

  Musée des beaux-arts de Marseille

  Palais Longchamp, France

  3 works

  Museum detailsMap
• Roman Ruins

  Temple Newsam

  Leeds, United Kingdom

  2 works

  Museum detailsMap

• Paisley Museum

  Paisley, United Kingdom

  1 works

  Museum detailsMap

Plan your visit to see Giovanni Paolo Panini →

• What is Giovanni Paolo Panini known for?+

  Giovanni Paolo Panini is known for his landscape views of classical antiquity and depictions of the interiors of classical buildings. He also painted capriccios, which are more fanciful images of antiquity.
• What is Giovanni Paolo Panini's most famous work?+

  Giovanni Paolo Panini, born in Piacenza in 1691, was an Italian painter known for his *vedute*, or views, of Rome. He also produced *capricci*, which were fanciful, imaginary views of classical structures. He moved to Rome in 1711 to study drawing, and he decorated palaces there in the 1720s. Panini's most famous work may be *Pantheon Interior* (1735; Vienna, Lichtenstein Museum). The painting documents the view from the oculus in the dome, through the front entrance, and into the piazza beyond. This perspective is difficult to achieve today. Panini was accepted into the Congregazione dei Virtuosi al Pantheon in 1719. He also taught at the Accademia di San Luca in Rome. Hubert Robert worked in his studio, as did younger *vedutisti* including Antonio Joli. His style influenced Bernardo Bellotto and Antonio Canaletto. These artists profited from tourism in Italy, which was fuelled by interest in portraiture and classical views. Another noteworthy work is Panini’s *Capriccio View of Roman Ruins* (1765; Cambridge, Fitzwilliam Museum). It depicts Roman ruins such as the Colosseum, an obelisk, an equestrian sculpture, and a triumphal arch, all arranged to create a diverse collection of classical structures. His *Gallery of Views of Ancient Rome* and *Gallery of Views of Modern Rome* (1759; Paris, Louvre Museum) depict art gallery interiors with paintings displayed on the walls. He died in Rome in 1765.
• What should I know about Giovanni Paolo Panini's prints?+

  Giovanni Paolo Panini (1691-1765) was an Italian painter of city views (vedute) and architectural scenes. He is known for both realistic urban views and imaginative depictions of classical structures. Originally trained as a stage designer, Panini moved to Rome in 1711 to study drawing. By the 1720s, he was decorating Roman palaces, such as the Villa Patrizi and the Palazzo de Carolis. He was admitted to the Congregazione dei Virtuosi al Pantheon in 1719 and taught at the Accademia di San Luca in Rome. Hubert Robert and Antonio Joli were among those who worked in his studio. His style influenced Bernardo Bellotto and Canaletto. Panini's work was popular with tourists interested in classical subjects. He created both accurate views and capriccios: imaginary groupings of Roman ruins. One example is *Capriccio View of Roman Ruins* (1765; Cambridge, Fitzwilliam Museum), which assembles the Colosseum, an obelisk, an equestrian sculpture, and a triumphal arch. His *Gallery of Views of Ancient Rome* and *Gallery of Views of Modern Rome* (1759; Paris, Louvre Museum) depict paintings displayed salon-style.
• What style or movement did Giovanni Paolo Panini belong to?+

  Giovanni Paolo Panini (1691-1765) is associated with the veduta style, creating views of Rome that were popular with tourists. He painted both realistic urban scenes and imaginative depictions of classical structures. Initially trained as a stage designer in Piacenza, Panini moved to Rome in 1711 to study drawing. By the 1720s, he was decorating palaces, such as the Villa Patrizi and the Palazzo de Carolis. He joined the Congregazione dei Virtuosi al Pantheon in 1719 and taught at the Accademia di San Luca in Rome. Panini's paintings range from accurate cityscapes to fanciful arrangements of Roman ruins. One example is *Capriccio View of Roman Ruins* (1765), which presents a collection of monuments, including the Colosseum and Trajan's Column, in an imagined arrangement. He also created gallery interiors, such as *Gallery of Views of Ancient Rome* and *Gallery of Views of Modern Rome* (1759). His work influenced artists such as Giovanni Battista Piranesi and Hubert Robert.
• What techniques or materials did Giovanni Paolo Panini use?+

  Giovanni Paolo Panini was an Italian painter and architect who lived from 1691 or 1692 to 1765 or 1768. He is best known as a painter of city views, or *vedute*, especially of Rome. Seventeenth-century Italian painters aimed to represent natural appearances on a flat surface. They believed that this representation should allow the public to grasp a higher truth. Two tendencies emerged: some artists described the thing itself, while others described the impression on the beholder. Painters in Rome during Panini's time were influenced by the Carracci Academy in Bologna. The Academy taught that painters had to emulate nature accurately, while also illustrating the essence of what was depicted. Some technical aspects of seventeenth-century Italian painting include the use of varnish and problems caused by absorbing grounds. Theories on viewing distance and lighting were also considered.
• When did Giovanni Paolo Panini live and work?+

  Giovanni Paolo Panini (also called Pannini) was born in Piacenza in 1691 and died in Rome in 1765. He trained as a stage designer before moving to Rome in 1711 to study drawing. By the 1720s, he was decorating Roman palaces, including the Villa Patrizi and the Palazzo de Carolis. He was admitted to the Congregazione dei Virtuosi al Pantheon in 1719, and he also taught at the Accademia di San Luca in Rome; he became its Principe (director) in 1754. Panini painted views of Rome, combining real and imaginary elements. He produced views of historical events, scenes of contemporary life, and groupings of actual buildings in false contexts. His work was popular with tourists, much like Canaletto's views of Venice. Hubert Robert worked in his studio, as did Antonio Joli. His style also influenced Bernardo Bellotto and Antonio Canaletto.
• Where can I see Giovanni Paolo Panini's work?+

  Paintings by Giovanni Paolo Panini can be found in collections around the world. In the UK, the National Gallery in London holds some examples. Dulwich College Picture Gallery also possesses paintings. The Wallace Collection has Panini's work, too; A Dance to the Music of Time is in their collection. Elsewhere in Europe, the Hermitage Museum in Leningrad holds paintings by Panini. The Prado in Madrid has multiple examples. The Alte Pinakothek in Munich also has paintings. In France, the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Nancy holds at least one painting. Several paintings are held at the Louvre in Paris. Outside of Europe, the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia, has Panini's work. In the United States, The Minneapolis Institute of Arts and The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City also hold paintings. The National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa also has examples.
• Where was Giovanni Paolo Panini from?+

  Giovanni Paolo Panini was born in Piacenza, Italy, in 1691. He is known as a painter of *vedute*, views of classical antiquity, and the interiors of classical buildings. He also created capriccios, which are more fanciful images of antiquity. Panini received his initial training as a stage designer in Piacenza. In 1711, he moved to Rome to study drawing. During the 1720s, he decorated palaces in Rome, including the Villa Patrizi and the Palazzo de Carolis. By 1719, he was accepted into the Congregazione dei Virtuosi al Pantheon. He also taught at the Accademia di San Luca in Rome. Hubert Robert, Antonio Joli, Bernardo Bellotto and Canaletto all came under his influence. Panini died in Rome in 1765.
• Who did Giovanni Paolo Panini influence?+

  Giovanni Paolo Panini, a painter of Roman city views and capriccios, trained as a stage designer before moving to Rome in 1711. There, he studied drawing and decorated palaces, becoming a member of the Congregazione dei Virtuosi al Pantheon in 1719. He also taught at the Accademia di San Luca. Panini’s studio became a training ground for artists. Hubert Robert, later known as "Robert des ruines", worked with Panini, as did Antonio Joli. His style influenced other view painters, including Bernardo Bellotto and Canaletto, whose early style resembled Panini's. Panini's work, ranging from realistic urban scenes to imaginary classical structures, appealed to tourists interested in both archaeological accuracy and romanticised antiquity. His paintings of Roman art galleries further popularised such subjects during the Grand Tour era. He specialised in views, creating imaginary combinations of buildings. His output became popular with tourists; in some ways, it equalled the Venetian views of Canaletto.
• Who influenced Giovanni Paolo Panini?+

  Giovanni Paolo Panini (1691-1765) was an Italian painter known for his *vedute* (views) of classical antiquity and his *capricci* (fanciful images of antiquity). He initially trained as a stage designer in Piacenza. In 1711, he moved to Rome to study drawing. Panini's Roman views and capriccios, such as *Capriccio View of Roman Ruins* (1765), often combined actual buildings in imaginary arrangements. He painted views of historical events, scenes of contemporary life, and these imaginary combinations. He specialised in views of this kind. Canaletto's style was at first similar to Panini's. Canaletto, whose real name was Antonio Canal, was influenced by Panini. Panini's studio also influenced other *vedutisti*, including Antonio Joli. Hubert Robert also worked in his studio. Additionally, Panini's style influenced Bernardo Bellotto. Panini taught at the Accademia di San Luca in Rome.
• Who was Giovanni Paolo Panini?+

  Giovanni Paolo Panini was an Italian veduta painter. He was known for his landscape views of classical antiquity and depictions of the interiors of classical buildings, as well as his more fanciful images of antiquity, called capriccios.
• Why are Giovanni Paolo Panini's works important today?+

  Giovanni Paolo Panini (1691-1765) was an Italian painter and architect, best known for his *vedute*, or views, of Rome. These paintings and drawings are valued today as historical records of the city in the 18th century. Panini's detailed depictions of Roman monuments, festivals, and interiors provide insight into the architecture, urban planning, and social life of the period. His works often feature accurate portrayals of landmarks like the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and St Peter's Basilica. He also documented important events, such as religious ceremonies and aristocratic gatherings. Panini's paintings are not just documentary; they also demonstrate his skill in composition, perspective, and colour. He often combined real and imaginary elements in his *capricci*, or architectural fantasies. These works show his creative approach to the *veduta* genre. Many art historians and collectors value Panini's output. His works are held in major museum collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Louvre in Paris. They offer valuable visual information about Rome and demonstrate the artistic conventions of the 18th century.