Michele Zappino - Cavallino Verde

Exemplary of Contemporary Art

The depiction of animals in art has ancient origins, even appearing in primitive cave paintings. For religious reasons, various types of animals appear in the works of various ancient civilizations. It was especially in the Middle Ages, within the International Gothic style, that animal depictions became widespread as true life portraits, both within works of art and in notebooks of drawings and sketches. The presence of animals as subjects in art remained constant until the contemporary era. In this sculpture, Michele Zappino focuses his research on the figure of the horse. A noble animal, a symbol of beauty and harmony, the horse has repeatedly been a prominent subject in the history of art. Since the fourteenth century, its presence has always been obligatory in battle scenes or equestrian monuments, and for painters, depicting it with anatomical precision and naturalistic rendering has always been a challenge.

In his sculptures, Michele Zappino draws on a classical and traditional conception of artistic creation. As we can see in this work, the sculptor pursues a completely naturalistic rendering, which he achieves through his remarkable technique. The artist emphasizes the subjects' volumes, creating a balanced relationship within the work. The facial features are highly precise, with a certain idealization. In this horse figure, the strength and dynamism of the figure are enhanced through a compositional line based on the highly diagonal position of the legs, the raised head, and the horizontal tail. The steed is depicted in the act of rearing, displaying Zappino's typical ability to capture his subjects in the unrepeatable moment of movement. The sculpture's modeling reveals a highly dynamic and vibrant surface, typical of contemporary art.

Michele Zappino was born in 1949 in Zungri, Calabria. Throughout his career, he taught sculpture at the Brera Academy for many years. He has completed important commissions, including the bronze bust of Saint Cyriacus in Buonvicino, the bronze portals of the Cathedral of Mileto for the Jubilee of 2000, the monuments to Padre Pio in Vibo Valentia and Tropea, the monuments to Saint Francis of Paola in Paola, and the stele in honor of Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Pope John Paul II in Zungri. His studio production is also noteworthy, consisting of series such as the Dancers, the Girls, the Lovers, the Portraits, the Professions, and the Fighting or Racing Horses. He has received numerous awards.

The transaction takes place with maximum security for both the seller and the buyer. We take care of the conformity (provenance, authenticity, state of conservation) of the work and handle the shipping.
Returns are possible no later than 14 days after receiving the order.