Lot 2501 D α

Ferdinand IV, King of Naples and the Two Sicilies gave Hackert the order to paint all the harbours in his kingdom, like Vernet before him. In order to fulfil this commission, Hackert first travelled to Sicily in 1790 to make studies for the series. He was particularly taken by Messina, which was considered one of the most beautiful harbours in Europe at the time. He made his first painting of the harbour in 1791 for the Palazzo Caserta, where it can still be viewed today. The smaller version, which he painted the following year, was housed in Ferdinand's Villa Favorita in Resina until 1806 but is now in private ownership. The present and following lots together formed the study for this work.
Our view is led from the harbour over the straight of Messina and the coasts of Calabria and Sicily. Large freight ships and smaller sailing boats are moored between the lighthouse and the Forte San Salvatore. The barrels, boxes, and bales stacked in the foreground form repoussoir elements, alongside the elegantly dressed gentleman watching the group of musicians and their audience from above (C. Nordhoff).
Both compositions show how carefully Hackert planned his compositions, using a grid to transfer them to canvas.