JAN-JOSEPH-XAVIER BIDAULD | View of Monte Cavo, near Albano

Bidauld, like other French landscape painters of his generation, travelled to Italy in 1785 to complete his artistic training in the Italian countryside. His Italian sojourn, which lasted five years, proved to be a defining experience for Bidauld and the many plein air sketches and paintings he produced while there provided inspiration throughout the rest of his artistic career. Though he returned to Italy only once after his initial visit, he drew heavily upon his fond memories of the landscape and continued to paint Italian subjects throughout his career.

Similar views by Bidauld of comparable measurements were sold at Christie's London, 4 July 1997, lot 67; and at Sotheby's New York, 27 January 2006, lot 337 for $240,00.