Giorgio Matteo Aicardi (1891-1985) - Early 20th Century Oil Fresco Study

Description

A vibrant oil study of a classical scene for one of Aicardi's large scale frescos. The scene shows a reclining female nude, swathed in bright drapery, being serenaded by a male nude playing a flute. The sky is filled with delicate clouds and cherubic putti. The artist has signed to the lower right corner. On canvas.

Condition

The condition is typical for a picture of this age including some discolouration. There is a horizontal crease running across the width of the painting in the middle. There is a vertical scratch to the paint down the left side and one vertical scratch down the centre, although this is obscured by the direction of paint.

Size

37.4 x 43cm (14.7" x 16.9")
Sheet: 41.6 x 47.2cm (16.4" x 18.6")

Collection Information

This collection was in the hands of the Aicardi family before it was acquired by Sulis Fine Art.

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Artist Biography

Giorgio Matteo Aicardi (1891-1984) was an Italian painter who also specialised in drawings, frescoes, restorations, and illustrations. He trained at the Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti, Genoa, Italy, and was part of classic, post impressionist, and modernist movements.

In 1906 Aicardi, aged fifteen, painted his first fresco of Santa Teresa with his sister Ernesta as his model, which still can be seen in the dome of San Biagio Basilica in his native Finalborgo, Savona. Before his twentieth birthday in 1911 Aicardi won the Pensione Triennale, a government-sponsored three-year bursary at the Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti of Genoa, followed by the Pensionato Quinquennale of Rome, a five-year bursary enabling him to study and paint in Florence and Rome.

Many of the commissions for frescoes were awarded to Aicardi in Assisi, Umbria, and Urbino, Marche, by Piero Torriti, the superintendent to all art galleries for the Marche's region of Italy and a member of the Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti.

In 1929 Aicardi married Carmela Veruda, at first one of his students and then his model. They had three children, Francesco, Ada, and Giovanna, and throughout his life Aicardi used his family members as models. In 1938 he was elected professore to the Accademia Ligustica di Belle Arti followed by the Academy Publio Virgilio Marone in Bari and the Latinanti Escoleangae in Rome.

In 1950 Aicardi took part in the Lavoro Umano exhibition in the former Royal Palace in Genoa and won the Premio della Provincia with his painting 'Il lavoro nell'infanzia' which was bought by the then first Italian Prime Minister, Hon. De Nicola for the Italian Government.

Aicardi painted throughout his life until he died amongst his art on 30 December 1984 in Genoa. His work can be found in museums, palaces, churches, and private collections all over the world.