Offered by Antichità Castelbarco
Ilario Mercanti, known as ‘lo Spolverini’ (Parma, 1657 - 1734)
Scene of a night-time naval battle
oil on copper (oval) 59 x 74 cm - with frame 83 x 98 cm
NB: please note that the painting depicts a night-time battle, which is dark in nature and requires adequate lighting to be fully appreciated, as shown in the photos published here
The painting depicts a detailed night-time naval battle and is attributed to the Italian artist Ilario Mercanti (Parma 1657 - 1734), better known by the nickname Spolverini. It is a painting executed on copper, a medium that allows the palette to be fully appreciated in its chromatic values, characterised here by great intensity.
The scene depicts a chaotic clash between ships of two European armies, presumably between the English and French fleets: the foreground is dominated by a close encounter between two groups of men on small boats, probably during the boarding of a ship. The overall impression is one of intense violence and desperate struggle, accentuated by the drama of the night-time setting, with the water full of struggling figures, while in the background, imposing warships exchange cannon fire in a leaden sky thick with smoke.
There are numerous examples of this aspect of Spolverini's work, always supported by his characteristic skill in animating intricate groups of figures and his great inventiveness, with such ease that he was never forced to resort to repetition or self-copying.
The scene depicted is intensely dramatic and vivid, with a cold, moonlight filtering through the dark clouds and smoke billowing from a burning ship, accentuating and contributing to the overall sense of competitive vigour in the painting. The background tones of the entire composition, dark yet intense and brilliant, accentuated by the intense red splashes that characterise the painting, increase the violence of this nocturnal clash.
The work is in excellent condition, thanks to its copper support, and is completed by a fine custom-made gilded frame, not contemporary with the painting.
Delevery information :
We take care of and organise the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers.
We take great care We personally take care of the packaging, to which we devote a great deal of care: each work is carefully packed, first with arti- cle material, then with a custom-made wooden box.
Should you have the desire to see this or other works in person, we would be happy to welcome you to our gallery in Riva del Garda, Viale Giuseppe Canella 18, we are always open by appointment only.
