Capriccio

Capriccio is a genre that originated in Italy in the 18th century, when artists began to combine real and imaginary architectural elements on one canvas. Usually paintings combine ancient ruins, fantastic buildings and natural motifs to create an imaginary, spectacular landscape. Capriccio was popular among collectors who loved riddles and unusual compositions: architectural illusions where the Pantheon can coexist with a fictional palace, and vanished colonnades come to life again in luxurious decorations.

Classical representatives of the genre: Canaletto and Giovanni Battista Piranesi. This approach allowed artists to show their imagination and treat reality ironically.