Cod: 427582

Author : Gaetano Bellei (Modena,1857-1922)

Period: Second half of the 19th century

Gaetano Bellei (Modena, 1857-1922) "Marina di Livorno", 1893 The Torre del Magnale is distinctly depicted. Signed and located at the bottom left: "Bellei.G Livorno 1 8 93 On the back: "Rua Muro"- Bellei Oil on panel cm 24 x 34 Provenance: Genoa, Private Collection Modena, Private Collection Modena, Mrs. Iole Parmeggiani Bellei Bibliography: Società di Incoraggiamento per gli artisti della Provincia di Modena anno CXVI, Exhibition of Gaetano Bellei, Modena, Palazzo dei Musei - Sala della Cultura 4 – 19 June 1960, page 15 no.7 In the last decade of the century, Bellei pursued a pictorial phase characterized by free brushstrokes on an impeccable design framework; this is the case of this oil painting with pointillist effects that restore the luminous vibrations on the shimmering surface of the sea. Alongside his more established work, the painter continued his research in landscape studies, where he approached both the styles of the Macchiaioli and divisionist theories, in a process of dematerialization of the pictorial substance, where the lean paint allows the grain of the wood panel to show through. The Torre del Magnale or Torre Rossa, erected in the 12th century, is depicted. The octagonal building was built by the Republic of Pisa to mark the entrance to the port and served as a defensive bulwark during a time when warlike expeditions and trade animated the Mediterranean.