Italian school (XX) - Contadini a riposo





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Contadini a riposo, an oil on canvas from the early 1900s (1900–1910) by a Scuola italiana (XX), country of origin Sconosciuto, original edition, 68 × 54 cm, sold with frame.
Description from the seller
Farmers at Rest
Technique: Oil on canvas
Measurements with frame: 68 x 54 cm
Measurements without frame: 50x30 cm
Era: early 1900s
SIGNATURE: No
Provenance: Rome (Private Collection)
Conditions: Excellent
Detailed Description
The painting, an oil on canvas from the early twentieth century, captures an intimate and rural scene, focused on two elderly male figures sitting in the shade of a rustic portal.
Subject and Composition
The figures: In the foreground, two men are depicted sitting shoulder to shoulder on a low ledge or step, presumably at the entrance of a light-colored masonry house. Both are wearing clothing that appears typical of a rural or peasant setting, with dark jackets or vests over light shirts and wide, earth-colored trousers.
The man on the left leans slightly on his companion and holds a walking or work stick in his hands, using it as a support. He wears a dark head covering that appears to be a beret or a floppy hat.
The man on the right, with his gaze lowered or absorbed, wears a light-colored head covering, perhaps a rounded cap or a low fez. He has his hands in his lap and a more reserved posture. A second, thinner stick is placed vertically against the wall beside him.
Background: The figures are framed by a dark, rectangular opening, which is the entrance of a building. The darkness of the opening (the door or interior) creates a strong contrast with the external wall, painted with tactile brushstrokes of a dirty white or ivory, suggesting old plaster or stucco.
Under the bare feet of the two men, the terrain is depicted by brushstrokes of green, brown, and ochre, indicating a grassy or dirt area in front of the entrance.
Style and Painting Technique
• Technique: The work is an oil on canvas. The technique is characterized by visible, rather loose, and thick brushwork, typical of genre or landscape painting from the early twentieth century, which does not seek hyper-detail but rather impression and atmosphere.
• Color: The palette is dominated by earthy and warm tones: variations of ochre, brown, dark green for the clothing and ground, and whites/ivory for the wall. The use of dark colors and the shadow of the entrance add depth and a sense of relief from the external sun.
Light and shadow: The light appears to come from above and slightly from the left, illuminating the clothing and faces of the men, while casting their figures against the dark background of the door. This play of light and shadow emphasizes the plasticity of the figures and the roughness of the wall.
Atmosphere
The painting conveys a sense of quiet, rest, and melancholy, or perhaps just the serene contemplation of old age. The setting is sober and simple, suggesting a life connected to the land.
The Frame
The frame is not contemporaneous with the artwork. It is a modern frame, probably made of lacquered wood or synthetic material, characterized by an external finish featuring a braided rope pattern and a smooth inner edge in white or light silver.
It is a suggestive work that well represents Italian or Balkan genre painting of the period, focused on the portrait of everyday life.
In good overall condition considering the age of the painting, there are no notable defects and no conservation-related issues.
Probably restored
The painting is in perfect condition.
The opera is part of a private collection.
The work will be adequately packaged and sent via courier with an insured parcel.
For any delivery-related issues, please contact us before leaving negative/neutral feedback and we will find a solution.
Insured express courier shipping within 24/48 hours.
Farmers at Rest
Technique: Oil on canvas
Measurements with frame: 68 x 54 cm
Measurements without frame: 50x30 cm
Era: early 1900s
SIGNATURE: No
Provenance: Rome (Private Collection)
Conditions: Excellent
Detailed Description
The painting, an oil on canvas from the early twentieth century, captures an intimate and rural scene, focused on two elderly male figures sitting in the shade of a rustic portal.
Subject and Composition
The figures: In the foreground, two men are depicted sitting shoulder to shoulder on a low ledge or step, presumably at the entrance of a light-colored masonry house. Both are wearing clothing that appears typical of a rural or peasant setting, with dark jackets or vests over light shirts and wide, earth-colored trousers.
The man on the left leans slightly on his companion and holds a walking or work stick in his hands, using it as a support. He wears a dark head covering that appears to be a beret or a floppy hat.
The man on the right, with his gaze lowered or absorbed, wears a light-colored head covering, perhaps a rounded cap or a low fez. He has his hands in his lap and a more reserved posture. A second, thinner stick is placed vertically against the wall beside him.
Background: The figures are framed by a dark, rectangular opening, which is the entrance of a building. The darkness of the opening (the door or interior) creates a strong contrast with the external wall, painted with tactile brushstrokes of a dirty white or ivory, suggesting old plaster or stucco.
Under the bare feet of the two men, the terrain is depicted by brushstrokes of green, brown, and ochre, indicating a grassy or dirt area in front of the entrance.
Style and Painting Technique
• Technique: The work is an oil on canvas. The technique is characterized by visible, rather loose, and thick brushwork, typical of genre or landscape painting from the early twentieth century, which does not seek hyper-detail but rather impression and atmosphere.
• Color: The palette is dominated by earthy and warm tones: variations of ochre, brown, dark green for the clothing and ground, and whites/ivory for the wall. The use of dark colors and the shadow of the entrance add depth and a sense of relief from the external sun.
Light and shadow: The light appears to come from above and slightly from the left, illuminating the clothing and faces of the men, while casting their figures against the dark background of the door. This play of light and shadow emphasizes the plasticity of the figures and the roughness of the wall.
Atmosphere
The painting conveys a sense of quiet, rest, and melancholy, or perhaps just the serene contemplation of old age. The setting is sober and simple, suggesting a life connected to the land.
The Frame
The frame is not contemporaneous with the artwork. It is a modern frame, probably made of lacquered wood or synthetic material, characterized by an external finish featuring a braided rope pattern and a smooth inner edge in white or light silver.
It is a suggestive work that well represents Italian or Balkan genre painting of the period, focused on the portrait of everyday life.
In good overall condition considering the age of the painting, there are no notable defects and no conservation-related issues.
Probably restored
The painting is in perfect condition.
The opera is part of a private collection.
The work will be adequately packaged and sent via courier with an insured parcel.
For any delivery-related issues, please contact us before leaving negative/neutral feedback and we will find a solution.
Insured express courier shipping within 24/48 hours.

