A. Della Valle (XX-XXI), da Carl Vilhelm Holsøe - Interno Danese (classico)

Classic Danish Interior (Homage to Carl Holsøe)
Artist: A. Della Valle
Technique: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 50 x 40 cm

This painting by A. Della Valle is an evocative homage to the Danish interior master, Carl Holsøe (1863-1935), known for his tranquil and luminous domestic scenes. Although the work focuses on an interior, the dominant presence of hanging paintings, particularly a vibrant marine, introduces a dynamic contrast with the otherwise serene and intimate atmosphere.
The scene is framed in a corner of a living room, characterized by a rectilinear composition and a skillful use of natural light, a distinctive feature of the Danish School of Painting. The light source, presumably an unseen window (or partly on the right, covered by a white, diaphanous curtain), floods the environment, casting long, well-defined shadows on the polished wooden floor, especially in the foreground.
The interior decor, typical of a bourgeois setting, is sober but elegant.
On the left: a fragment of a dark wooden chair or armchair with an opaque green upholstery.
In the center: A small chest of drawers or console with three drawers, also in dark wood, serves as a pedestal for a composition of ornaments. On it rest a white porcelain or marble statuette (perhaps a putto) and a brass or reflective metal vase.
On the right: A potted plant with dense green foliage, placed on a tall and refined metal or brass pedestal, balances the corner, softening the harsh lines of the wall and window.
One element that slightly deviates from Holsøe's minimalist standards are the paintings hanging, which add depth and color.
The main scene in the center depicts a dramatic seascape with rocky cliffs and a turbulent sea, illuminated by a sunset or sunrise sky. The gold of this picture's frame catches the light, highlighting it as a 'picture within a picture'.
Small Idyllic Scene: Under the sea, a smaller and darker painting depicts an outdoor scene, perhaps an idyllic landscape or a group of figures, which contrasts with the power of the sea above.
On the left: Two other paintings, one depicting a flowering landscape scene and the other an empty frame or a mirror, contribute to layering the wall, interrupted by the oblique falling light.
A. Della Valle's palette is characterized by warm tones of brown, green, and blue, highlighted by the contrast between the dim lighting of the furnishings and the almost blinding light coming from the right. The foreground rug, with its red and brown patterns, adds texture and warmth.
The work manages to capture the serenity and intimacy of Holsøe's interiors, where the focus shifts from human action to the contemplation of space, light, and its interaction with objects and artworks.