Imitation of life
Crocetta
- Artist: Pellizza da Volpedo
- Location: Imitation of life
- Date: 1895 - 1898
This work is based on studies that date back to 1894. At the Turin Expo in 1898, it was hailed as one of the most significant paintings of its time, with its wealth of references to purist Pre-Raphaelite stylistic elements and symbolic themes. The subject matter expounds a line by Dante and it fits in well with the contemporary interpretation embraced by Pellizza, who travelled widely and had recently returned from studies in Florence.
The rhythmic steps of the sheep on the banks of the River Curone move to a musical beat, in contrast with the clear, motionless natural backdrop objectively depicted by the artist. It could be said that this work marks the very peak of Pellizza’s theoretical and practical division of shades into primary hues very close to the pure colours of the optical spectrum.
The rhythmic steps of the sheep on the banks of the River Curone move to a musical beat, in contrast with the clear, motionless natural backdrop objectively depicted by the artist. It could be said that this work marks the very peak of Pellizza’s theoretical and practical division of shades into primary hues very close to the pure colours of the optical spectrum.
