Silvio Bicchi (1874-1948) - Il carretto rosso

Silvio Bicchi (Livorno, 1874 – Florence, 1948), The Rustic Cart, pastel on paper, the only work measuring 43x29 cm, signed at the bottom left. In an early-period frame with restorations and signs of age (included as a gift). A work of great impact and of excellent technical quality.

Silvio Bicchi established himself after, having been with his brother Ottorino Bicchi, a pupil of Fattori at the Accademia delle Belle Arti in Florence, with a series of illustrations for the Divine Comedy. He then went to Paris, then to London, where he was deeply influenced again by the great English portraitists.

During his subsequent sojourn in North America he achieved wide popularity and, among other things, in 1893 won the competition for the fusion of the doors of the Boston Library. He later returned to Italy where he continued to work, favoring subjects of popular genre and using tempera and pastel as preferred techniques.

He participated in two editions of the Venice International Art Exhibition, in 1914 and in 1920.

Between 1927 and 1928 he served as artistic director of the Ceramiche Milani factory. He also produced works in fresco technique; among the best known are the frescoes of the Library of Villa Magni-Rizzoli in Canzo.