Prospero Riva - View of a Street

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.

Even in his landscape paintings, Prospero Riva confirms the character and originality of his pictorial style, based on a geometric reconstruction of tangible reality, which, however, takes on a decidedly expressionist and existential aspect. In his urban views, the purity of line and form, combined with the absence of the human figure, gives the views a suspended quality of metaphysical solitude. The pictorial quality remains constant, in the vibrant texture that, in his landscapes, is even more closely identified with the effect of light on objects. Chromatically, the balance of colors is perfect, in complete harmony with the geometric harmony of the forms.

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.