Giovanni Pane (1928-2010) - Testina

Giovanni Pane - Testina
The work presented is an interesting example of Italian academic painting from the mid-20th century, characterized by a confident technique and an intimate atmosphere.
The artist is Giovanni Pane (clearly indicated by the label on the back and by the stamp "Giovanni Pane - Artist Painter"). Pane was a painter active mainly in Naples in the 20th century, known for his portraits and genre scenes.
The work is titled "Testina" (as stated on the back). It is a profile portrait of a young woman, rendered in a style that blends realism with the looseness of Italian Impressionism.
It is an oil on faesite, the dimensions of the painting are 16 x 22 cm, as indicated on the paper documentation applied to the back. The frame size is 43 x 48 cm, the thickness is 5.5 cm. The work is protected by glass.
The artist uses a tactile and vibrant brushstroke. Note the white and pink highlights on the face and the pronounced contrast of the blue bow in the hair, which serves as the chromatic focal point.
The composition is classical, with the face slightly turned downward, giving the subject a contemplative and melancholic air. The palette is warm, dominated by earth tones, pink, and ochre, typical of the Neapolitan painting school of the postwar period.
The work is set in an imposing frame with a wide red velvet passe-partout and an inner gold frame. This type of mounting was very popular in the 1960s and 1970s to enhance small-format paintings.
The documentation shown on the back is particularly information-rich:
- The 'International Gallery' label by Luciano Gambardella.
- The artist's blind stamps that certify its authenticity.
- Certification of 'Original Painting'.
It is therefore an authentic and well-documented piece by an author well known in the Neapolitan figurative tradition. It is an artwork of pleasant aesthetic impact, ideal for 20th-century art collecting.