Riccardo Pellegrini (milan, 1863 - Crescenzago, 1934), Eastern Market

Riccardo Pellegrini (Milan, 1863 - Crescenzago, 1934)

Eastern market

Oil on board, 31.5 x 44.5 cm

With frame, cm 51 x 61

Signed in the lower right

Riccardo Pellegrini, born in Milan in 1863, was a painter whose art, imbued with realism and a deep sensitivity for the changing times, offers us a vivid view of Italy between the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. His artistic training began in the lively Milan of that period, a melting pot of cultural ferments and innovations, where he attended the Brera Academy. Here he had the opportunity to refine his technical skills and absorb the artistic trends of the time, while developing a well-recognizable stylistic figure. Pellegrini was a versatile artist, able to range from portraits to genre scenes, from urban landscapes to more intimate representations of everyday life. What emerges strongly from his paintings is the ability to grasp the essence of his subjects, whether they are characters of high society in Milan or humble figures of the people, with a quick and swirling brush stroke and a rich palette of nuances. His portraits, in particular, are not limited to rendering a physical resemblance, but often reveal the psychology of the characters, their moods, their aspirations. A distinctive aspect of his production is the predilection for scenes of contemporary life, often set in Italian cities. Milan, in particular, with its lively streets, cafes and theatres, was an inexhaustible source of inspiration. Pellegrini was a keen observer of the progress and social transformations that Italy was experiencing: the advent of industry, changes in customs, the emergence of new social classes. In his works, we often feel a sense of nostalgia for a world that was disappearing, but also curiosity and enthusiasm for the new.