291 - STEFANO MERCATALI - Forlì 2002 (2002)

STEFANO MERCATALI - Forlì 2002 (2002) Oil on canvas. Dimensions: 50 × 70 cm. This figurative and expressionist work depicts an urban landscape of the Italian city of Forlì, rendered with energetic brushstrokes, a rich accumulation of paint, and an atmosphere of striking luminosity. The composition features a collection of architectural structures with irregular profiles, partially blurred by the layering of pigments and the artist’s gestural freedom. In the central area, a structure in dark tones stands out, surrounded by ochre, yellowish, and whitish surfaces that suggest illuminated facades, while on the far right, bluish and grayish vertical forms add depth and chromatic contrast. In the foreground, an earthy-toned surface is crisscrossed by diagonal lines that draw the eye into the scene, reinforcing perspective and the sense of space. The use of thick impasto, fragmented brushstrokes, and contrasts between light and dark areas lends the work a remarkable material expressiveness, transforming the architectural representation into a subjective interpretation of the urban landscape. Its visual language shows affinities with certain compositions by Nicolas de Staël (1914–1955), especially in the construction of spaces through chromatic masses and the importance given to the pictorial material, as well as with the work of Maurice Utrillo (1883–1955), due to its focus on urban architecture, facades, and the atmospheres of streets and squares. Parallels can also be drawn with certain paintings by Antonio Saura (1930–1998), owing to the gestural energy and the expressiveness of the contrasts, although from a more figurative and landscape-oriented perspective. These references constitute stylistic affinities and do not imply an attribution of authorship. The artwork is signed, titled, and dated on the reverse in black marker. It is in perfect condition, according to the accompanying documentation. Lot located in an international warehouse (within the EU). Intra-EU shipping: no ...