This portrait represents a significant example of the artist’s ability to capture character and physiognomy with great precision. Luigi Serra, active during the second half of the nineteenth century, was in fact known for his interest in the careful and direct representation of human figures, often observed from life. Furthermore, the use of watercolour allowed Luigi Serra to achieve soft transitions and accurate control of tonalities, as can be seen in “Portrait of an Elderly Man”.
The depicted man wears a dark wide-brimmed hat and possesses marked features, highlighted through an essential yet effective modelling. The artist constructs the face through light overlays of colour, which not only suggest volume but also define details such as the beard, moustache, and direct gaze. Consequently, the image appears expressive without resorting to superfluous decorative effects.
The lower part of the figure, on the other hand, is outlined in a quicker and more synthetic manner, according to an approach that Serra often adopted in order to concentrate attention on the facial features. At the same time, the light paper serves as a neutral background, allowing the warm skin tones and the more subdued colours of the clothing to emerge clearly.
In conclusion, “Portrait of an Elderly Man” demonstrates technical skill of Luigi Serra and his direct approach to working from life, offering a concrete example of late nineteenth-century Italian portraiture.
Description: Watercolour on paper, signed and dated lower right, H cm 38.5×29 – with frame H cm 56.5x46x3.
Hammer Price: € 4.000,00
Auction 88 – November 13th 2025 – A Tuscan Residence
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