The work “The white glove” by Pompilio Mandelli is an outstanding example of intimate and contemplative painting. The female figure, captured in a moment of quiet reflection, is portrayed in the simple yet evocative act of putting on a white glove. Her absorbed expression, composed posture, and the restrained tones of the palette convey a profound psychological introspection, a hallmark of Mandelli’s artistic vision.
Born in Bologna in 1912, Mandelli was among the founders of the “Otto Pittori Italiani “group, a movement that contributed to the renewal of the Italian art scene after the Second World War. His pictorial language, always balanced between figuration and inner exploration, is distinguished by its controlled use of colour and its ability to transform every image into a reflection on the human condition.
In this painting, the cool tones of the background contrast with the delicacy of the hands and face, creating a perfect balance between formal rigor and emotional sensitivity. Furthermore, the soft, diffused light gently models the figure, while the glove itself becomes a symbol of purity and reserve.
Ultimately, “The white glove” encapsulates the deepest aspects of Pompilio Mandelli ’s poetics: an art that, while essential in means, succeeds in conveying an intense and timeless inner tension.
Description: Oil on canvas, signed lower left “Mandelli”, bearing on the reverse the exhibition label Pompilio Mandelli, Il brivido della vita, 2002, at Palazzo Magnani. H cm 70×55.
Provenance: Private Collection, Mandelli Family.
Exhibition: Pompilio Mandelli, il brivido della vita, 2002, presso Palazzo Magnani, Bologna.
Hammer Price: € 3.500,00
Auction 83 – May 7th 2025 – Modern and Contemporary Art
All works by Pompilio Mandelli presented at auction
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