34 - ROSARIO DI FAZIO (Palermo, 1892–1958)

ROSARIO DI FAZIO (Palermo, 1892–1958) Mediterranean Coastal View (Sicily) Oil on panel, 52.5 x 91.5 cm Signed “R. Di Fazio” lower left A fine painting of considerable artistic interest, executed in oil on panel and signed lower left by the Palermo-based painter Rosario Di Fazio (Palermo, 1892–1958), an artist known for his works devoted primarily to urban views, landscapes, and seascapes of Sicily. The work depicts an evocative Mediterranean coastal view, dominated by a warm color palette of golden, ochre, and brown hues that envelop the sky and the rocky shoreline, creating a striking contrast with the dark, calm waters of the sea. Two small sailboats can be seen on the water’s surface, while on the horizon, shrouded in atmospheric mist, the mountainous silhouette of a coastal promontory emerges—an element that evokes the characteristic views of the gulfs and coastlines of western Sicily. In the foreground, on the right, a rocky and steep coastline dominates the composition. A dirt path runs along the ridge and disappears into the sparse vegetation, rendered in a palette of ochre, earth tones, and browns, intensely illuminated by the low-angled light. At the center of the scene, the sea—painted in deep, dark tones—is home to two small sailboats, which help lend depth and movement to the composition. The sky occupies a considerable portion of the picture plane and is characterized by dense, layered clouds, rendered with a rich, textural application of paint. The yellowish, amber, and golden hues accentuate the sensation of heat and lend the scene a suspended, evocatively luminous atmosphere. The composition and painting technique hark back to Sicilian landscape painting from the late nineteenth century to the first half of the twentieth century, in which the veduta tradition blends with a freer sensibility toward light. In this context, one can recognize—due to the similarity in artistic sensibility—references to the tradition of the School of Francesco Lojacono, which paid particular attention to the rendering of light, atmosphere, and the Mediterranean landscape. Di Fazio’s painting is characterized by a vibrant, full-bodied, and at times concise brushwork, capable of immediately conveying the luminous vibrancy and characteristics of the Sicilian landscape. The artist favors a warm and luminous palette, in which earth tones and gold often play a predominant role. Particularly effective in this work is the use of light, which shapes the contours of the coastline and creates a deeply lyrical and evocative atmosphere.