Antonio Mezzadri (XVII), Ambito di - Coppia di nature morte floreali – Pendant

Pair of antique paintings, oil on canvas, 17th century, depicting floral still lifes.

Elegant and refined pair of oil-on-canvas paintings depicting rich floral compositions, characterized by roses, carnations and other varieties of flowers arranged on distinct horizontal planes, against a dark brown background that enhances their chromatic vivacity and plastic relief.
The compositions are distinguished by the richness of the botanical repertoire, the articulated arrangement of stems and the asymmetric distribution of the floral groups, organized according to a balanced spatial development. Particularly appreciable is the contrast between the corollas in red, pink and white tones, sometimes brightened by yellow accents, and the deep green foliage, which contributes to the richness and depth of the whole.

The pair shows interesting stylistic affinities with the production of Antonio Mezzadri, a flower painter active in Bologna in the second half of the 17th century, documented around 1688 and remembered by ancient sources for the particular quality of his floral compositions. In particular, significant points of contact with the artist’s pictorial language are found in the liveliness and chromatic variety of the corollas, in their prominence against generally dark backgrounds, and in the loose yet articulated painting approach, obtained through overlapped strokes of color and passages of light that give texture and movement to the petals.
The execution quality of the two canvases appears particularly appreciable in the rendering of the main corollas, in the variety of floral species and in the construction of the luminous contrasts. The overall work reveals an expert painter’s hand and a decoratively effective sensibility, fitting into the late 17th-century Emilia floral still-life tradition.
An interesting point of comparison is provided by the pair of still lifes with baskets of flowers catalogued by the Fondazione Federico Zeri within Antonio Mezzadri’s oeuvre and datable to the last quarter of the 17th century, on which Zeri himself noted the reference to the artist. Further comparisons can be found in the documented floral production of the Bologna-born painter.

The paintings are generally in fairly good condition, with an ancient patina and signs of time consistent with the age of the works. Some restoration interventions are observed, localized and not particularly invasive, in addition to re-lining and surface cracking readings, overall limited in extent and not compromising the legibility of the depictions. The craquelure appears homogeneous and consistent with the period, with no evident signs of active detachment of the paint film. Both canvases have been relined, with stretchers and re-foiling that guarantee adequate support and tensioning of the paintings. Overall the works are solid, well-preserved and with a historical patina coherent with their authenticity and natural conservational evolution over time.

The paintings are presented in a fine pair of antique gilt frames. Minor defects, signs of age and restorations are noted. They are included as a courtesy and are not part of the artwork itself; any damages to them will not constitute grounds for complaint or cancellation of the order.

Dimensions of the paintings: 67 x 53 cm each - Dimensions of the frames: 77 x 63 cm each

Work accompanied by a photographic certificate of authenticity, as required by applicable law.

Shipping with insured express courier and packing performed with the utmost care.