Felicita Frai (1909-2010) - Senza titolo (Il funambolo)

Felicita Frai (Prague, 1909 - Milan, 2010)
Untitled (The Tightrope Walker), 1969

Mixed technique on board. On a background depicting an urban scene with a market and architectures, rendered with dense hatch work in the style of ancient engraving, the artist painted in relief and scratched two surreal figures in white and light tones: a tightrope walker in a costume with an anthropomorphic sun on the chest and a veiled female figure with a bow and stockings, viewed from behind. Original work with a strong tactile effect (relief impasto and incised lines), typical of the artist's feminine and fairy-tale imagination.

Signed and dated at the bottom right, in scratched script: "F. Frai 69".
On the back, in pencil: "Decorazioni Villani" and some sketches of decorative motifs; inscription "30/40".

The artist: born in Prague, she moved to Italy in the 1930s and studied fresco with Achille Funi. Exhibited at the Venice Biennale in 1938 and 1948; in Milan she frequented Giorgio de Chirico's studio and took part in the Triennials from 1945 to 1954. Painter of female figures, flowers and still lifes, she was also an engraver and an illustrator (among other works, of Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking-Glass", 1947). Golden Ambrogino in 2001.

Measurements: work 38.5 x 28.5 cm; with frame 46.5 x 37 cm. Weight with frame: about 1.5 kg.

Frame: white lacquered wooden frame with raised corner decorations.

Condition: work in good condition, with slight signs of age and some small surface scratches. The frame shows chipping and loss of the lacquer, especially along the edges. Please study the photos carefully, which are an integral part of the description.

Shipping: the work will be shipped framed, with careful packaging and corner protection, with tracked shipping.