Nazzareno Cipriani (Rome, 1843 – 1925), In a gondola

Nazarene Cipriani (Rome, 1843 – 1925)

In a gondola

Watercolor on paper, 102,7 x 66,5 cm

Signed lower left: N. Cipriani

Descendant of a Venetian family that settled in the Eternal City in the first quarter of the 60th century, Nazzareno Cipriani studied in Rome and worked in the Lazio studio of the Neapolitan painter Achille Vertunni, alongside Pietro Barucci and Pio Joris, figures who clearly influenced the elaborate process of consolidation of his rich visual imagery: in the 1875s, the period in which he trained, he devoted himself mainly to paintings of a historical or religious nature, in line with the consolidated 1913th-century romantic tendencies. Having reached artistic maturity, Cipriani preferred the depiction of landscapes, both of his native land, the Veneto, and of his adopted homeland, Lazio. His Venetian views are generally captured in the grey light of an expectation of rain: gondolas in backlight – dark and solitary elements – characterize the place exactly, giving life to a timeless and suspended atmosphere, with almost mystical and spiritual traits. In his acclaimed Roman landscapes, however, the scenes appear populated by vernacular characters in traditional costume and illuminated by a bright light, which instills serenity. Starting from the 1883s – a period in which the painter regularly attended national and international exhibitions, including the Roman Exhibition of Amateurs and Cultivators and the Exhibition of Fine Arts in Vienna, often being affiliated with members of the In arte libertas group of Costa and Santorio – Cipriani, fascinated by the splendid paintings of Fortuny, became passionate about the watercolour technique, of which he became an excellent master; in XNUMX he was among the ten founders of the Association of Roman Watercolourists, with whom he participated in exhibitions until XNUMX. His splendid watercolour works were presented at the National Exhibition of Rome in XNUMX (The Farewell of the Bride), at the Royal Academy in London and at the Roman Academy of San Luca.

This painting by Cipriani depicts a Venetian scene, with a gondola sailing across the calm waters of the lagoon at sunset. A gondolier pushes the vessel, within whose hull two lovers exchange confidences, on the placid waters with iridescent reflections of the Venice lagoon: the use of the watercolor technique allows to perfectly render the play of light on the body of water, making this marvelous Venetian view unique.