Here we have a gorgeous painting by the Italian master Giancarlo Vitali (1929 - 2018). When I first laid my eyes on this beauty I was speechless. Everyone who had the pleasure of doing the same had a similar reaction. There is painting, then there is a painting by the master's hand. The depth of this amazing artwork keeps going. Just take a look at the pictures again.
The Italian painting is entitled "I colori della campana" and comes out of a high end Twin Cities estate. There are articles of provenance accompanying the painting, including the following:
- L'Atelier Internazionale D'Arte Art Identity Card with official seal of authenticity.
- Official sale card from the S.R. Brennen Gallery of Fine Art
- Giancarlo Vitali booklet presented by L'Atelier Internazionale D'Arte
I'm not sure when the painting was created. My guess is the 1990s but it's purely a guess.
Here is a link to Giancarlo Vitali's official website.
Here is a video of an interview with the master.
Here is the Italian master's bio courtesy of Wikipedia:
Vitali was born in Bellano, on Lake Como, into a family of fishermen. He began painting when he was fifteen, after having worked at the Institute of Graphic Arts of Bergamo. In 1947 he exhibited his first work at the Angelicum Gallery in Milan, on the occasion of the biennial exhibition of sacred art. In the following edition in 1949, the two works he exhibited, Visitazione and Cena in Emmaus, were met with great appreciation by Carlo Carrà. Vitali was awarded a fellowship from the Brera Academy in Milan but because he wasn't able to support himself he was force to reject it.
In 1981 his son Velasco Vitali, also a painter, encouraged Giancarlo to start working as an engraver.
In 1983 critic and writer Giovanni Testori, expressed the wish to meet Vitali after seeing one of his paintings depicting a quartered rabbit. The meeting generated a profound and solid relationship, founded on mutual esteem and admiration, which later became a long deep-rooted friendship. In 1984 Testori wrote an article about Vitai's work in the third page of Corriere della Sera and went on to organize his first solo exhibition at La Compagnia del Disegno in Milan. Vitali would later have several exhibitions in public and private institutions and released a series of catalogues and engravings portfolios.
At the end of the 1980s he realized lots of public art works, including The Portrays of Benefactors at Ospedale Maggiore in Milan commissioned by the Foundation Ca' Granda.
Here are a list of exhibitions courtesy of Wikipedia:
- 2008 - "Giancarlo Vitali and Mario Botta", curated by Carlo Bertelli, A.N.C.E. building, Lecco.
- 2007 - "Giancarlo Vitali: Works", IIC, Madrid
- 2005 - "Cartella Clinica: Chronicle of an Unsought Sojourn", Aula Magna of the Ospedale di Lecco.
- 2003 - "L'Oltranza della pittura: In memory of Giovanni Testori", Spazio Cinquesensi, Milan.
- 2002 - "La musica dipinta: Drawings and Oils", Spazio Cinquesensi, Milan.
- 2001 - "D'après", Arsmedia, Bergamo; in 2002 the exhibition was presented, with further drawings and oils, at Compagnia del Disegno, Milan.
- 2000 - "Il Paese del Pittore", Spazi industriali dell'ex Cotonificio Cantoni,Bellano.
- 2000 - "Lunario Minimo", organized by the Comune di Cento in collaboration with Promoart, Chiesa sconsacrata di San Lorenzo, Ferrara.
- 1999 - "Giancarlo Vitali", curated by Giancarlo Consonni, Palazzo Sormani Milan.
- 1999 - "Le stagioni della Vita", curated by Domenico Montalto, The Cantico gallery in the Monastery of San Damiano, Assisi.
- 1997 - "La Memoria Sottile", Scuderie of Villa Manzoni, Lecco.
- 1996 - "Giancarlo Vitali: Retrospective", curated by Marco Goldin, Palazzo Sarcinelli, Conegliano.
- 1994 – "Giancarlo Vitali", organized by Civica Raccolta Bertarelli at Sala Castellana, Castello Sforzesco, Milan.
- 1991 - "Le forme del tempo: A tribute to Antonio Stoppani", . Musei Civici, Villa Manzoni and Galleria Bellinzona, Lecco.
- 1987 - "La famiglia dei ritratti", curated by Giovanni Testori, Musei Civici, Lecco.
- 1985 - "Giancarlo Vitali", curated by Giovanni Testori, La Compagnia del Disegno, Milan.
The ornately framed painting measures 35" tall and 31" wide. The exposed painting measures 27" x 23". The painting is immaculate in every way. There are a few very small chip losses on the back corners of the frame. A stunning piece altogether. Please see all pics as they are part of the description.
The Vitali painting is available for viewing and purchase at the Mad Van showroom in St. Paul. Click on the "Showroom" link if you're interested in seeing it in person, Pictures don't do it justice. Local pickup or delivery only. The Vitali painting is not available for shipping.
I'm sure glad we have pictures because I really have no appropriate words. You are missed, Mr. Vitali.
