Robaldo Casalini Baldelli (1866–1932) - Paesaggio lacustre con montagne

ROBALDO CASALINI BALDELLI (Milan, January 11, 1866 – 1932) “Lake landscape with mountains” Oil on canvas Signed bottom right: “R. Casalini Baldelli” Era: first quarter of the 20th century, circa 1900–1920 Measurements: 102 x 76 cm in frame Painting: 80 x 54 cm Presentation of the work A suggestive, wide-range lakeside view in which Robaldo Casalini Baldelli develops one of the most characteristic themes of his production: the Lombard and sub-Alpine landscape interpreted through variations of light and atmosphere. The composition is built according to a calibrated succession of planes. The broad expanse of water occupies the foreground and leads the gaze toward the mountainous mass that rises at the center of the view, wrapped in a milky luminosity and a light haze. On the right, the rocky shore and, especially, the tall bare trees form a darker natural setting, creating an effective contrast with the bright opening of the sky and with the cool tones of the mountains. The atmospheric rendering is particularly successful. Casalini Baldelli renounces a minute description of the landscape to privilege a freer painting sensitive to luminous perception: bluish grays, deep greens, earth tones and silvery white are juxtaposed through visible and sometimes tactile brushstrokes. On the surface of the water, especially in the foreground, the brushwork becomes more fragmented and vibrant, suggesting the reflections of light without resorting to analytical definition. It is precisely this attention to meteorological and luminous effects that characterizes much of the artist’s production. Sources remind us that Casalini Baldelli, after literary studies at the Sorbonne, returned to Italy in 1891 and dedicated himself to painting under the guidance of Silvio Poma, one of the protagonists of Lombard landscape painting of the nineteenth century. In 1894 he exhibited at the Brera Triennial Nebbie dorate and Tempo grigio, later taking part in numerous Italian and European exhibitions. In 1906 his painting Feriola was purchased by the Duke of Aosta. The painting under consideration seems well placed in the mature phase of his activity. Interesting is the comparison with other documented Alpine landscapes on the market: a Alpine Landscape of 61 × 91 cm, signed bottom right, was presented by Finarte in 2025, while other known works confirm the recurrence of mountain views, watercourses, woods, and lakeside settings in his production. Stylistic reading The work shows a language that can be placed in the transition from late nineteenth-century Lombard naturalism to an increasingly twentieth-century atmospheric sensibility. The teaching of Silvio Poma remains recognizable in the panoramic construction and the interest in the mountainous landscape, but Casalini Baldelli tends here to progressively dissolve the descriptive data in light. Very beautiful, in particular, is the contrast between the dark mass of the trees on the right and the mountain immersed in the fog in the background. The small boat barely perceivable at the center of the lake also introduces a scale element that emphasizes the vastness and silence of the landscape. The rich carved and gilded wooden frame, in the round, with vegetal motifs and scrolls, gives the whole an important decorative presence and appears particularly suitable for the type and period of the work. CONDITION REPORT The work presents overall in good preservation state, compatible with its age and with the natural conservation history of an oil painting from the early decades of the twentieth century. The paint surface appears substantially stable and retains good legibility of the compositional layout and the original atmospheric modulations. Diffuse craquelure and fine age cracks are visible, particularly noticeable in the lighter areas of the sky and the lake surface, to be considered consistent with natural aging of painting materials. The frame, richly carved and gilded with vegetal motifs and scrolls, appears overall well preserved, with normal abrasions, small losses and wear to the gilding compatible with age. *** Note regarding the frame and shipping The frame is provided gratis with the work and does not constitute an integral part of the sale value of the painting. Given its age, the carved work and the particular delicacy of the decorative elements and gilding, handling and transport may involve the risk of small breaks, detachments, cracks, abrasions or losses of fragments, even with careful packaging. Therefore, any damage to the frame during transport cannot be a reason for dispute, refund request, or return of the work, as the frame is provided free of charge and without assigning economic value within the sale. The buyer, by proceeding with the purchase, declares to be informed of the frame’s particular fragility and to accept this condition. The painting will in any case be packed with the utmost care to reduce risks associated with shipping. *** Note on photographs Some of the photographs accompanying this sheet were professionally taken using controlled artificial lighting, with the aid of a studio spotlight, to guarantee better legibility of the work and allow a more precise observation of the painting surface, figurative details and color. Note on the frame The work is accompanied by a carved and gilded wooden frame, of a classic taste, with a continuous decoration of vegetal motifs. The frame shows normal signs of aging, small wear, abrasions and slight losses of gilding, consistent with age and use. The frame is provided with the work as a gracious gift and does not constitute a substantial part of the sale. Any imperfections, losses, or damage to the frame, including those arising from transport, cannot constitute grounds for dispute or compensation regarding the work. - Certificate of legitimate provenance and Expertise - Insured shipment and electronic invoicing

Stima:€1,800

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