These are the names behind the Van Wittel Vanvitelli Dialogue - Italy
These are the names behind the Van Wittel Vanvitelli Dialogue
Since 2019, Italy and the Netherlands have been meeting at a high political and economic level under the name of Van Wittel Vanvitelli Dialogue. But who exactly were Van Wittel and Vanvitelli?
Gaspar van Wittel (1653–1736) was a Dutch painter born in Amersfoort but moved to Italy, where he further developed his career.
Van Wittel settled first in Rome, where he created many of his famous paintings. He was known for his detailed and accurate depictions of Italian landscapes, with a particular emphasis on representing architecture.
In Rome, Van Wittel changed his name to the more Italian-sounding Vanvitelli. Van Wittel was highly sought after by the Roman aristocracy, including prominent families such as the Odescalchi and Colonna. Notably, fifty-five of his views can be found in the Colonna Palace in Rome.
Gaspar van Wittel married a Roman woman, and he can be seen as an example of successful integration. This was evident in his descendants as well. Van Wittel and his wife had six children, including Luigi.
Luigi Vanvitelli (1700-1773) is a prominent figure in Italian art history. This architect and engineer is best known for designing the Royal Palace of Caserta, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which is considered one of the greatest architectural achievements of the period.
(© Sailko, CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)
This is why the fourth edition of the Van Wittel Vanvitelli Dialogue (April 7-8, 2025) was held in this palace.
The two artists and their names thus reflect the strong bond between the Dutch and Italians. This provides a compelling reason to name this high-level modern dialogue in their honor.
The Van Wittel Vanvitelli Dialogue for the fourth time:
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October 28-29, 2019, Wassenaar
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December 14, 2020 (web meeting)
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May 15, 2023, Rotterdam
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April 7-8, 2025, Caserta