18th-century Neapolitan painter, Vase with flowers

18th-century Neapolitan painter

Vase with flowers

Oil on canvas, 32 x 23 cm

With frame, 39 x 31

The painting depicts a pyramidal floral arrangement, characterized by an exuberant variety of corollas emerging from a dark, atmospheric background. The bouquet, arranged within an elaborate vase decorated with embossed and pod-like elements, grows upward with a light and carefree dynamism, in which roses, carnations, and bluebells interact through vivid color contrasts ranging from shades of scarlet to shades of white and cream.

The work fits squarely into the tradition of Neapolitan still life painting of the first half of the eighteenth century, drawing its primary figurative and stylistic influence from the work of Francesco Lavagna. An ideological disciple and continuation of the legacy of masters such as Andrea Belvedere and Gaspare Lopez, Lavagna departed from the rigorous Caravaggesque naturalism of the previous century to embrace a style profoundly influenced by the Rococo style. His painting is distinguished by the use of rapid, fluid, and textured brushstrokes, with which the outlines of the flowers soften to the point of becoming "vaporous," fading into the surrounding atmosphere and conveying a sense of touching, soft, and fleeting freshness.

A key critical element, recurring in the style of Lavagna and his circle, is the rendering of the supporting vessel, often characterized by the pale blue or pale blue hues typical of the ceramics and glazed porcelain of the period. In addition to fulfilling an exquisitely pictorial function—offering a refined counterpoint of cool tones to the warm palette of the petals—the depiction of these vases constitutes a precious testimony to Naples's historic role in 18th-century Mediterranean trade. Through its bustling port, the Neapolitan capital welcomed valuable artifacts from across Europe and the Orient, including continental majolica and Chinese porcelain, which immediately became status objects for the aristocratic and bourgeois patrons of the time, thus being reflected in the figurative arts of the time.

For Italy only: with Ars Antiqua it is possible to pay in installments up to a maximum of €7.500 at ZERO INTEREST, for a total of 15 INSTALLMENTS

E.g. Total €4.500 = Monthly installment €300 for 15 months.

E.g. Total €3.600 = Monthly installment €720 for 5 months.

For amounts exceeding €7.500 or for a longer period of time (over 15 installments), we can provide a personalized payment.

Contact us directly to get the best quote.

LIVE

– SUNDAY 17.00pm – 21.00pm Dig.terr. 126 – Sky 809

– Streaming on our website www.arsantiquasrl.com and on our social networks Facebook and Youtube

All the works proposed by Ars Antiqua are sold accompanied by a certificate of authenticity in accordance with the law and an accurate information sheet.

It is possible to see the works directly at the showroom gallery in Milan, in via Pisacane 55 and 57.

We personally organize transport and deliveries of the works, both for Italy and abroad.