Arturo Bona (1920-2010) - Locomotiva in Hanovra

Locomotiva in Hanovra by Arturo Bonanomi (1920–2010) depicts a snow-covered railway yard in Hanover, featuring a steam locomotive surrounded by stationary freight wagons. The locomotive is positioned slightly right of centre, facing diagonally towards the viewer. A substantial cloud of white steam rises above the dark engine, gradually merging with the grey-blue winter sky. A freight wagon stands on the left, while a row of reddish-brown wagons is positioned alongside a covered platform on the right. Several small figures and the diagonally receding railway tracks enhance the composition's sense of depth and perspective.

The painting is characterised by a predominantly cool palette of silvery greys, blue-greys and off-whites, contrasted with the warm brown tones of the wagons. The dark locomotive provides the strongest tonal contrast within the composition. Bonanomi employs loose, vigorous brushwork, with broad strokes defining the snow-covered ground and shorter, energetic touches capturing the rising steam. The simplified forms and atmospheric treatment lend the painting an impressionistic character with expressionist influences.
The painting is signed Bonanomi in the lower left corner and is presented in a wooden frame with gold-toned accents and a light, linen-textured inner border.

Dimensions of the artwork: 25 × 40 cm.
Dimensions including frame: 40 × 54 cm.

Artist Biography
Arturo Bonanomi (1920–2010) was an Italian painter born in Calolziocorte, Lombardy, who died in Lecco. Largely self-taught, he developed a figurative painting style characterised by direct brushwork, lively colour and pronounced contrasts of light and shadow.

His oeuvre primarily comprises landscapes, mountain villages and historic village scenes, with particular attention to the surroundings of Lecco and Lake Como. He also painted urban and architectural subjects. His paintings are distinguished by free, often impasto brushwork, in which recognisable subjects are constructed through bold areas of colour and simplified forms.

In 2016, his work was exhibited at Villa Monastero in Varenna and the Monastero del Lavello in Calolziocorte. This was followed in 2019 by the exhibition Tra Lago e Monti at the Torre Viscontea in Lecco. These exhibitions reflect the continuing regional interest in his artistic legacy.