Simon Denis, 'View of the Cascades at Tivoli', about 1789-93

In the eighteenth century, Italy, and in particular Rome, attracted artists from across Europe. The weather was warm and the cost of living relatively cheap. Moreover, there were the famous views and landscapes of the Roman Campagna, the classical ruins of Ancient Rome and the works of Renaissance masters. They had the opportunity to explore scenery that had inspired previous masters such as Claude Lorraine and Nicolas Poussin. For many artists a journey to Rome, either in the entourage of a wealthy patron or by themselves, was part of their expected training.

Copying masterpieces and drawing ancient marbles began to be supplemented by trips to the surrounding countryside to draw and paint the picturesque landscape and ancient ruins. Both could be found at the waterfalls and temples at Tivoli. It was believed that Claude and Poussin painted outdoors. Some artists began to follow this approach, painting directly in front of the subjects they wished to capture. For most artists at this time, the standard practice was to produce oil paintings in their studios. However, drawings and sketches, sometimes in oils or watercolours, could provide references that would help remind them of the rapid changes and movements observed in the natural world. The rushing of water, the movement and shapes of clouds, and the differing effects of light could all be put on paper and referred to later at leisure in the studio.

This well-worked-up sketch shows the cascades at Tivoli, which are north-east of Rome. Both Claude and Gaspard Dughet had painted views of Tivoli. The juxtaposition of the crashing, rolling falls and the spray they produced with the more regular, manmade forms of the buildings was an attraction that few artists in Rome could resist.

Simon Denis was born in Antwerp. He lived in Paris for ten years but in 1786 he moved to Rome. This decision changed his life, as he was to live in Italy until his death. His landscapes proved very popular. He was elected to the Italian Academy of Saint Luke, a distinct honour for an artist not born in Italy. However, he maintained close relationships with the Flemish community in Rome, as well as the French community. In 1789 the portraitist Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, fleeing the French Revolution, travelled to Italy. She recorded in her diary that she and Denis visited Tivoli together with her daughter. Denis returned in 1793 and produced a work that is now in Antwerp. This sketch may have been made during either visit. Pencil underdrawings are visible and it may be that Denis worked up the sketch in the studio at a later date.