M. Casadei (Forlì,1899-1992), “Still Life”, oil on masonite panel, 38×52 cm.

M. Casadei (Forlì, 1899-1992), “Still Life,” oil on masonite panel. Dimensions of the painting alone: ​​38×52 cm. Dimensions with frame: 57×71 cm. Excellent condition. Original lacquered and gilded wooden frame present. Provenance: Forlì, Private Collection.
Casadei was a painter, watercolourist, photographer and engraver. He was born in Forlì, where his first teacher was the painter Giovanni Marchini and from where he emigrated in 1913 to reach France. There, he attended the Free Academies of Lyon and Paris. From 1920, he began to participate in numerous national and foreign exhibitions, at biennials, triennials, quadrennials and Parisian Salons, obtaining many awards: Silver Medal at the First Regional Exhibition of Forlì; first prize at the Landscape Exhibition (Faenza, 1948); first prize at the Extemporaneous Art Exhibition (Cervia, 1951); The Goodness Painting Award (Bologna, 1953); second prize at the National Biennial (Forlì, 1954); first prize City of Imola (Imola, 1955); second prize Marina di Ravenna (1955); first prize Valle del Santerno (1956); First prize, City of Terni (1956); First prize, Campigna (1957); Gold Medal, City of Forlì (1957). He also received other prizes and honorary diplomas. His works are present in important museums and illustrious collections, such as the Galleria d'Arte Moderna in Rome; the Sforza Castle in Milan; the Colonial Museum in Rome; the Pinacoteca Comunale in Forlì; Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome; and the Istituto Nazionale LUCE at the Ministry of Communications in Rome. Of particular historical interest are the war subjects painted from life while following the fighting troops (from 1941 to 1943). His works are preserved in the Collection of the Cassa di Risparmio di Forlì and in that of the Bank of Italy. He is unanimously considered the most important traditional figurative painter of the entire twentieth century in Romagna. In the case of the still life under examination, Casadei appears to have been influenced by the experiences and style of the Magic Realism movement.

Biblography:

AM Comanducci, Illustrated Dictionary of Modern and Contemporary Italian Painters and Engravers - Third Edition, Milan, 1962.