A splendid painting from the first half of the 20th century. Oil on canvas, first canvas, signed C. Mannucci on the lower right, attributable to the great painter Cipriano Mannucci (1882-1970). This painting depicts a lively Venetian view, dedicated to Carnival and set at the foot of the Rialto Bridge.
The composition is built around the monumental arch of the bridge, which runs almost entirely across the canvas and forms the architectural fulcrum of the scene. The painting's true protagonist comes to life in the foreground: a colorful crowd of carnival masks dancing along the shore. Harlequins, elegantly dressed female figures, and masked figures overlap in a tight, lively sequence. A musician in costume appears in a particularly prominent position, while behind him the crowd gradually dissolves into a succession of red, pink, white, green, and orange highlights.
It is precisely in this area that one of the work's greatest qualities emerges. Mannucci alternates relatively defined figures with characters constructed with a few rapid brushstrokes. When viewed closely, some figures seem to dissolve into splashes of color; at the correct viewing distance, however, they acquire volume, movement, and presence. The festive bustle of the shore is counterpointed by the greater calm of the Grand Canal. Gondolas and small boats appear on the water, rendered with broad brushstrokes in shades of green, blue, and turquoise.
The work belongs squarely to Mannucci's Venetian school, but stands out for its large size, the richness of the composition, and above all for the juxtaposition of landscape and costume. Cipriano Mannucci was born in Nice but was a Florentine by adoption. He studied at the Scuola di Santa Croce in Florence and received an important award from the Florentine Society of Fine Arts. His career, however, had an international dimension from the beginning. He spent several years in Paris, participating in the Salon des Artistes Français and the Nationale des Beaux-Arts.
The canvas is completed by a rich and impressive period gilded wooden frame, featuring deep moldings, leaf motifs, and classical ornamentation. Beautifully decorated, with some signs of aging. A perfect work for a large living room or study, it is ideal for both classical and contemporary settings thanks to its instantly recognizable subject, vibrant colors, and striking visual impact. The view of Venice, combined with the iconography of the Carnival and the famous architectural setting of the Rialto Bridge, gives the painting particular international collector interest. The painting has already been restored with small patches of color, but is in overall good condition.
Width: H 78 cm, W 118 cm
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SILVER Seller in Cuneo, Italy
