Ilario Mercanti / Lo Spolverini, Night Naval Battle, 1700, Oil on Copper, Framed

Details

Description

Ilario mercanti, known as "lo spolverini" (parma, 1657 - 1734)

night naval battle scene

oil on copper (oval)

59 x … Read more Ilario mercanti, known as "lo spolverini" (parma, 1657 - 1734)

night naval battle scene

oil on copper (oval)

59 x 74 cm - with frame 83 x 98 cm

nb: please note that the painting depicts a night battle, which is dark in nature and requires adequate lighting to be fully appreciated, as in the photos published here.

the painting featured here depicts a meticulously detailed night naval battle and is attributed to the italian artist ilario mercanti (parma 1657 - 1734), better known as spolverini. It is executed on copper, a medium that allows the palette to be fully appreciated, with its chromatic values, characterized here by great intensity.

the scene depicts a chaotic clash between the vessels of two european armies, presumably between the english and french fleets. The foreground is dominated by a close-quarters clash between two groups of men in small boats, likely during the boarding of a ship.

the overall impression is one of intense violence and desperate struggle, heightened by the dramatic nighttime setting, with the water filled with struggling figures, while in the background, imposing warships exchange cannon fire against a leaden, smoke-filled sky.

there are numerous examples of this aspect of spolverini's work, always underpinned by his characteristic ability to animate intricate groups of figures and by his great inventiveness, with such ease that he was not forced to resort to repetition or self-copying.

the scene depicted is intensely dramatic and vivid, with a cold, moonlike light filtering through the dark clouds and smoke from a burning ship, which accentuate and contribute to the painting's overall sense of competitive vigor. The underlying tones of the entire composition, dark yet intense and bright, accentuated by the splashes of intense red that characterize the painting, heighten the violence of this nocturnal clash.

for comparison, we can recall the pair of "battles of fornovo" (pinacoteca di parma), one painted during the day and the other at night, in which he gave an initial glimpse of his luministic talents through the artificial light of the background explosion. Also on display are the two ovals "explosion of the powder magazine" and "siege of a castle" (millon, paris, 27.9.23 [1], see photo for details), previously exhibited at the circolo della stampa in milan. Finally, there are the two paintings depicting naval battles from the cariparma foundation

the work is presented in excellent condition, enhanced by the copper support, and completed by a fine custom-made gilded frame, not contemporary with the painting.

additional information:

the painting is sold with a certificate of authenticity and an iconographic . This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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