Born in Regensburg, Agricola travelled widely in Europe and was said to be active in Venice around 1712, working for the patron of the arts, Zaccaria Sagredo (1653-1729). He was influenced by French landscape artists, active in Italy, such as Claude Lorrain and Gaspard Dughet. He died in his native city in 1719.

The Italian list of paintings acquired by George III in 1762 records three paintings by Agricola (nos 263-5): ‘The 4 Elements, highly finish’d on Copper’ measuring 1ft 7in x 1ft 2in. Two of these four may be identified remaining in the collection - this painting and The Washing Pool (RCIN 401198), presumably representing the elements of Fire and Water (and both decorated with Smith's favourite Venetian panel frames). The other two - Earth and Air - are missing. Here a nocturnal landscape with three men in a boat, the figure at the front bearing a flame (representing fire). The two light sources - the full moon illuminating the scene and the torchlight perhaps suggest the influence of Elsheimer. The four elements were a popular subject in art from the Renaissance onwards.