Wilhelm Marstrand - The Moccoli Evening on the Corso in Rome - ca. 1848

 

The Moccoli Evening on the Corso in Rome (c. 1848) captures one of the most vibrant and theatrical traditions of Roman Carnival: the “Moccoli” ritual, where participants parade with small candles, attempting to extinguish others’ lights while protecting their own. Wilhelm Marstrand, a leading figure of Denmark’s Golden Age, was celebrated for his lively genre scenes and cosmopolitan outlook. His extended stays in Italy profoundly shaped his art, infusing it with color, movement, and narrative drama. In this painting, Marstrand orchestrates a dynamic composition filled with carriages, crowds, and flickering candlelight, evoking the festive chaos of the Corso at night. The work reflects both Marstrand’s technical virtuosity and his fascination with human interaction, spectacle, and cultural customs—qualities that made him one of Denmark’s most internationally oriented artists of the 19th century.

Source: Ordrupgaard