The Giovanni Segantini Civic Gallery in Arco is hosting an exhibition dedicated to Segantini’s paintings of the Navigli until May 12th. Among the exhibited works, the “Snowfall” canvas from 1880-1881 stands out, alongside other paintings depicting the canals of Milan.
Segantini was very familiar with the urban scene of the Naviglio di San Marco, where he had his studio. During that time, post-unitary Milan was developing a growing interest in city views. The artist expressed this dimension with a melancholic and nostalgic vein, as if the snow also enveloped human activity, softening colors and noises.
Alongside the “Snowfall,” other works are exhibited, such as “Spring on the San Marco Bridge,” “The Women of the Navigli,” “Naviglio at the San Marco Bridge,” “Portrait of Mrs. Torelli,” “Naviglio under the Snow,” “Naviglio di San Marco,” and “Young Woman in Via San Marco.” These works come from Milanese, Trentino, Swiss galleries in St. Moritz, and private collectors.
The exhibition also offers various illustrative and documentary materials that enrich the visitors’ experience. Additionally, it is possible to revisit works from the permanent collection of the Arco Civic Gallery and other prestigious loans.
Segantini’s Navigli canvases stand out for their tones and brushstrokes in still lifes and mountain landscapes. The painted interiors are often dark, with a dim light that barely reveals the figures. The pencil and watercolor studies are interesting, while the outdoor prayer moments are rendered with delicate tones.
The exhibition also offers an intriguing representation of Pompeiana in a green dress brushing against the water, with an almost Tizianesque backdrop. In all the exhibited works, Segantini once again demonstrates his artistic mastery and deserves the applause of the public.
Italian Version
