Vincenzo Martini (1956) - Sotto la neve (Carabinieri, Fraticelli e Chierichetti)

Vincenzo Martini - Under the Snow (Carabinieri, Fraticelli and Chierichetti) - Oil and Acrylic on board prepared with plaster and stucco - 2003

DETAILS OF THE WORK

Artist: Vincenzo Martini (Italy).

Title of the work: "Under the Snow" (Carabinieri, Fraticelli and Chierichetti).

Era: 2003.

Technique and materials: Oil and acrylic on board prepared with plaster and stucco.

Dimensions: 40 x 30 cm (work), 66.5 x 56.5 x 5 cm (including frame).

Signature: Signed in the lower right.

Stamps: Stamp of Saletta Viviani on the back.

Condition: Excellent. No structural defects (photos are part of the description). Minimal flaws attributable to the artistic/craft nature of the work.

Frame: Wooden, artisanal.

DOCUMENTATION

Certificate of authenticity from Galleria d'Arte Piero Della Francesca, Arezzo. Certificate of authenticity and provenance from Saletta d'Arte Viviani (PI) attached.

EXHIBITIONS

"Forma e Colore – Spring Collective Exhibition", 2024, Galleria d'Arte Piero Della Francesca, Arezzo.

DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK

We present at auction a striking work by Vincenzo Martini, entitled "Under the Snow" and created in 2003 in oil on board prepared with plaster and stucco. Our gallery has long represented the Maestro's work, which has been shown in various solo, group, thematic, and survey exhibitions.

The work depicts a typical winter scene from the artist's production, enhanced by the particular material preparation of the support, which gives three-dimensionality and roughness to the village landscape and its architectures.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES AND CRITICISM ABOUT THE ARTIST

Born in Foligno in 1955 and relocated to Spello in 1982, Martini established himself, with strong support from Galleria Renzo Spagnoli, as an independent continuation of the naïf thread made famous by Norberto Proietti. His career has reached notable milestones, including participation in surveys at important galleries, public spaces, and the realization of the "Piatto dei Priori Serventi" in 2022, donated to Pope Francis.

Architectures and Material
The peculiar preparation of the support allows Martini to build villages with rigid, compact, and highly tactile geometries. This approach contrasts markedly with the soft lines, dreamlike architectures, and delicate polished veils that characterize Norberto's fairy-tale worlds. Even in chromatics, Martini seeks a winter atmosphere marked by strong contrasts and a cold, dark sky, distancing himself from the always-bright skies of his inspirer.

Narrative Development and Characters
While Norberto conceives his friars as large, dynamic figures and the ironic engine of the action, Martini scales them down, making them static, but places them in more articulate choral scenes that enrich the narrative. In this work, the storytelling expands beyond the usual: the landscape hosts two Carabinieri in conversation with a friar, a second religious figure carrying a sack, and three altar boys who, from a balcony, witness the unfolding village scene.

SHIPPING AND PACKAGING

Packaging: We guarantee professional, rigid, tailor-made packing designed to preserve the artwork's total integrity during transit, shielded from bumps, folding, and humidity.

Courier: Tracked, fast, and secure shipping via express courier.

Shipping Notes: Shipping costs, which may seem slightly higher than average, reflect the particular care we take in making the packaging and in selecting reliable couriers. The times indicated on the platform are approximate. We generally ship within the indicated terms, sometimes even sooner. However, during periods of heavy traffic or if issues arise (e.g., strikes), shipments may shift by a few days. In such cases we usually keep the buyer constantly informed about the status of the order and have the package ready to be shipped on the first business day. If it falls on a Friday, we postpone shipment to Monday to avoid risky stockpiling at depots over the weekend.

Customs and Export (Extra-EU): For buyers residing outside the European Union, shipping may require the technical times necessary to obtain the Export License from MiC (Ministry of Culture). Any customs duties are the responsibility of the buyer.

Invoicing: Professional seller. The work will be accompanied by a fiscal receipt (or electronic invoice, available upon request by providing your details at the time of bidding).

Frames and glass: The frame, if present, is part of the sale but should be regarded as a gift, so no complaints about its condition will be accepted. The conditions are always stated in detail in the description. If glass is present, it will be included in the sale only if the lot is collected in person at our gallery. If shipping, the glass is always removed and is therefore never considered included in the sale."