“Cavalry” is a watercolour on paper by Giovanni Fattori, signed lower right, and fully consistent with the mature production of the Livorno-born artist. In this work, Fattori addresses one of his most characteristic subjects: military life, observed with a direct gaze and free from rhetoric. However, the episode is not presented in a celebratory manner; rather, it is depicted as an everyday scene, suspended in time.
This composition portrays a cavalry unit marching along a country road. The soldiers and their horses are arranged in an orderly yet natural manner, and the progression of the figures guides the viewer’s eye into the distance, creating a measured and convincing sense of depth. The landscape, rendered through broad areas of colour, functions as a structural element rather than a mere background. As a result, figures and environment are closely interconnected.
From a technical perspective, the use of watercolour allows Fattori to achieve an essential and immediate effect. The brushwork is fluid yet controlled, while colour is employed to define volumes without relying on overly detailed drawing. Furthermore, the diffused light contributes to a sober and realistic atmosphere, fully consistent with the principles of the Macchiaioli movement, of which Fattori was one of the leading figures.
As for the artist himself, Giovanni Fattori occupies a central position in nineteenth-century Italian art, renowned for his ability to combine direct observation with compositional rigour. In this respect, “Cavalry” stands as a significant example of his research, in which the military subject becomes a means of investigating contemporary reality.
Descrizption: Watercolour on paper, signed lower right, H cm 23×38.
Provenance: Cinti Bianchini Collection, Bologna.
Hammer Price: € 5.250,00
Auction 67 – January 24th 2024 – Bolognese Collections – 19th and 20th century paintings
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