Franco Costa, Dreaming and Sailing, Down Under, Screen Print, 1990s

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Screen print on paper. Hand signed, titled and numbered. Edition of 299. Excellent condition. A striking large-format colour screen print … Read more Screen print on paper. Hand signed, titled and numbered. Edition of 299. Excellent condition. A striking large-format colour screen print by Italian artist Franco Costa, depicting a stylised maritime view of Sydney Harbour. The composition presents an elegant panorama dominated by the sweeping arc of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, beneath which a cluster of modern skyscrapers defines the city skyline. In the foreground, the iconic white sails of the Sydney Opera House emerge from the shoreline, while numerous sailboats glide across the luminous blue waters of the harbour. Costa’s characteristic visual language—marked by clean geometric forms, bold flat colour fields, and a refined graphic clarity—is fully evident in this work. The artist simplifies architectural landmarks into elegant silhouettes, allowing the sweeping curves of the bridge and the rhythmic movement of the sails to create a balanced and harmonious composition. Created as part of Costa’s celebrated series devoted to international sailing destinations, the print reflects the artist’s lifelong passion for the sea and competitive sailing. The title references the southern hemisphere’s famous yachting routes between Sydney and Auckland, both of which are central to the global sailing culture Costa so often depicted. Large-scale works such as this are particularly desirable, combining Costa’s decorative modern aesthetic with iconic architectural imagery, making them both visually impactful and highly collectible. Franco Costa (1942–2013) was an Italian painter, designer, and printmaker internationally recognised for his colourful depictions of sailing regattas, coastal landscapes, and maritime life. Born in Italy, Costa developed a lifelong fascination with the sea and the world of yachting, subjects that became central to his artistic production. His distinctive style blends elements of Pop Art, graphic design, and Mediterranean modernism, characterised by bold colours, simplified architectural forms, and dynamic compositions. Costa collaborated with numerous international sailing events and yacht clubs, and his works celebrating famous coastal destinations gained wide popularity among collectors of maritime art. Throughout his career, Costa exhibited internationally and produced numerous limited-edition prints, which remain appreciated today for their decorative elegance and vivid evocation of the sailing world. 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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