Prospero Riva - Woman Leaning Against a Tree

In the history of art, a clear distinction can often be made between figurative and abstract stylistic movements. However, when an artist's goal is to depict an object that resonates with phenomenal reality but is also charged with hidden and symbolic meaning, this boundary can become blurred. Symbolism and Expressionism are emblematic stylistic movements in their conceptual interpretation of reality, with an iconic rendering of images and a symbolic interpretation in the use of color. In Prospero Riva's paintings, abstract and figurative blend almost seamlessly. This painter's favorite subjects are the more traditional ones—landscapes or the human figure—but everything is transfigured into an extremely experimental language, always striving for strong expressiveness.

In his paintings featuring the human figure, the artist Prospero Riva has developed a highly original language, essentially expressionist, yet with a unique interpretation. He creates a highly accentuated synthesis of his subjects, reducing them to a minimal and decontextualized essence. Their expressiveness is expressed through the painterly application, which in Prospero Riva takes on a specifically structural value. Thus, Prospero Riva's depersonalized figures are constructed in an almost mechanical manner, formed by broad brushstrokes arranged like geometric constructions. The influence of Cubism on this reconstruction of subjects is evident, but the character of Prospero Riva's paintings is decidedly expressionist. Indeed, a decidedly existential aspect of his pictorial practice prevails in his depersonalization and geometric construction. Beyond this conceptual exploration, Prospero Riva's style also arouses interest for its high formal quality. Indeed, his technique, consistent with the anxieties he seeks to express, is rich in vibrations that permeate his subjects and the space around them. His palette is distinguished by delicate contrasts between whites and pinks and the dark hues of the backgrounds.

Prospero Riva was born in Milan in 1931 and passed away in Cassano Magnago in 2013. His works depict themes of everyday life: poverty, suburban neighborhoods, the countryside, the joy and pain of living. His eyes witnessed life alongside figures drawn from an imaginary world, yet always with familiar faces. He exhibited in galleries and public spaces across Italy, with at least 20 solo shows and numerous group exhibitions. One of his large paintings on the theme of the Last Supper is on display in Cassano Magnago, at the Oratory of San Giulio.

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.