Jan Dirksz Both

(Utrecht, 1618 - Utrecht , 1652)

The painting bears signature in the lower left corner: "BOTH J."

Of this uncommon view of Rome with the landing of boats at the port of Ripa Grande, Jan Both executed at least two versions: the one presented here and another, of similar size but developed in a more rectangular sense, preserved at the Städelsches Kunstinstitut in Frankfurt. The composition, apart from the slight difference in format, which causes differences concentrated essentially on the right side of the scene and on the sky track (more extensive and cloudy in our version), is very similar, with the same buildings and the same typical repertoire of wayfarers, vagabonds and peasants that always animates Jan Both's anti-aulic and pauperistic Rome.