Painted Shell by Lorenzo Delleani, Signed – 1894
A rare and precious work on a natural support, this painted shell represents one of the few known examples in which Lorenzo Delleani used such an unusual material as a pictorial surface. The artist, a master of naturalism and famous for his atmospheric views, applies his typical sensitivity to light to this large sea shell.
Dimensions: H 20 × W 21 cm
The subject depicts a seascape with a sailboat in the foreground and another boat in the background, immersed in a twilight atmosphere. The cloudy sky, rendered with soft brushstrokes and subtle glazes, creates a strong sense of depth, while the sea delicately reflects the golden lights of the horizon.
In the lower part there is the autograph dedication, signature and date “Delleani 1894”, which give the work further historical and collectible value.
A unique work of its kind, it is a testament to Delleani's ability to experiment beyond the traditional canvas, while maintaining his poetics, made of light, silence and wide natural spaces.
Perfectly preserved, it is an absolute rarity in the artist's production.
