EVENING IN PORTOVENERE - OIL ON CANVAS - GIUSEPPE CASELLI (1893 - 1976)

Description of the Work Subject and Composition The painting is a evocative marine view depicting one of the most famous and celebrated sights in the Gulf of Poets: the promontory of Porto Venere, dominated by the unmistakable silhouette of the Church of San Pietro perched on the rocky cliff overlooking the sea. The composition is structured with a masterly perspective balance: The foreground features a solitary figure in a small fishing boat (a gozzo), engaged in rowing, an element that introduces a lyrical, intimate, and human dimension into the majestic natural setting. On the background, the gaze is guided through the "Bocca" (Mouth), the channel separating the village from Palmaria Island (hinted at on the left side), where other small sailboats are moving. In the lower right, the work bears the authentic handwritten signature "Caselli". Light, Color, and Atmosphere Rather than a full moonlit nocturne, the canvas captures the delicate twilight transition or a "warm nocturne" typical of late summer sunsets. The sky is heavy with dense clouds, rent by golden, orange, and rosy glimmers reflecting the last sunlight. This luminous contrast is masterfully mirrored on the central body of water, creating a vibrant path of golden reflections that cuts across the sea surface, rendered with tones that shift from emerald green to the dark blue of the shaded areas. Style and Technique The painterly application reveals the artist's maturity and sensitivity: the brushstrokes are dense, textured, and visible (a distinctive trait of Caselli), managing to convey movement in both the sea's ripples and the sky's drama. The influence of Divisionism and 20th-century Naturalism is clearly felt, reinterpreted through an emotional and deeply autobiographical lens. Dimensions: 93 x 71 cm with frame, 69 x 49 cm canvas. Archival and Exhibition Notes (Reverse) As documented by the official plaque on the back of the stretcher, the work is registered with the Giuseppe Caselli Archive and was exhibited to the public on the occasion of the prestigious solo exhibition "With Caselli's Eyes – Porto Venere," organized by the cultural association Startè and the Archive committee (chaired by Francesco Vaccarone and Paolo Asti). The exhibition was held in the Sala Renzo Mantero (Via Cappellini 99, in the historic village of Porto Venere) from July 31 to August 18, 2016, achieving significant public and critical success on the fortieth anniversary of the painter's death. Biographical Notes on Giuseppe Caselli Giuseppe Caselli (Luzzara, 1893 – La Spezia, 1976) is considered one of the great masters of Ligurian painting of the 20th century and, by definition, the "painter of the sea" and of the Gulf of La Spezia. Formation and Contacts: Moved to La Spezia at a very young age, he studied under Felice Del Santo and Antonio Discovolo. He soon came into contact with the cultural currents of Versilia and eastern Liguria, forming a deep friendship, among others, with the renowned painter and writer Lorenzo Viani. The Dramatic War Experience: During World War I, he was captured and interned in the Mauthausen concentration camp. This painful experience profoundly marked his life and art: Caselli created a dramatic and realistic visual diary of drawings and paintings depicting the emaciated bodies and suffering of the prisoners, works of extreme expressive intensity. The Return to the Gulf: In the post-war period, Caselli found his catharsis and highest expression in the La Spezia landscape. He painted incessantly the life of fishermen, the markets, the villages of Lerici, Tellaro, the Cinque Terre, and, indeed, Porto Venere. Critical Acclaim: His painting, capable of oscillating between delicate lyricism and vibrant post-impressionist accents, became extremely popular in the region, adorning both large private collections and popular gathering places. He actively participated in the most important local art exhibitions, including the famous Premio del Golfo (Gulf Prize). Today his works are protected by the Official Archive, which promotes their study and cataloging within the context of 20th-century Italian painting. A regular certificate of authenticity with photograph will be issued. We assure a response to your emails within 24 hours REGISTERED WITH THE REGISTER OF EXPERTS AND COURT-APPOINTED TECHNICAL CONSULTANTS OF THE COURT OF LA SPEZIA