The Status of Villa Borghese

Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo’s The Statue at Villa Borghese (La statua a Villa Borghese), painted in 1906, depicts a quiet section of the gardens of Villa Borghese in Rome. In contrast to many paintings dedicated to the gardens, which accentuate their decorative characteristics, here the artist depicts the relationship between the classical marble sculpture and its surrounding nature. The painting comprises of many green elements. In addition to trees and plants, there is green in terms of vegetation that helps create a feeling of depth. The artist pays keen attention to how light filters through the plants in a natural way. The tones of green together with the lighter parts of the path and sky create a very atmospheric look of the painting. The statue is a very pale element placed in a dark background. This work is not focused on the human action or complicated plot but on the contemplation of the ordinary outdoor scene and the relation of the architecture to sculpture and nature. The position of the trees sets the frame for the central space and leads the viewer into the distance of the garden. Light and color effects by Pellizza make the landscape look rather fresh and alive. Another element present in the artwork is the artist’s growing interest in the investigation of light and color effects in the open air. This painting combines the traditional classical setting of Villa Borghese and the accurate observation of the nature around.