Ilario Mercanti known as «lo Spolverini» (Parma, 1657 - 1734) Night Naval Battle Scene oil on copper (oval) cm. 59 x 74 - with frame cm. 83 x 98 NB: Please note that the painting depicts a nocturnal battle, dark by its very nature, which requires adequate lighting to be fully appreciated, as in the photos published here. Full details (click HERE) The proposed painting depicts a detailed night naval battle and is a work attributable to the Italian Ilario Mercanti (Parma 1657 - 1734), better known by the nickname Spolverini. It is a painting executed on copper, a support that allows you to savor the palette in the fullness of its chromatic values, here characterized by great intensity. The scene represents a chaotic clash between boats of two European armies, presumably between the English and French fleets: the foreground is dominated by a close clash between two groups of men on small boats, probably during the boarding of a ship. The general impression is that of intense violence and desperate struggle, accentuated by the drama of the nocturnal setting, with the water full of struggling figures, while in the background, imposing warships exchange cannon shots in a leaden and smoke-filled sky. There are numerous examples relating to this part of Spolverini's activity, always supported by the characteristic ability to animate intricate groups of figures and by a great inventive capacity, with such inventive ease, as not to be forced to resort to repetition or self-copying. The proposed scene is intensely dramatic and vivid, with a cold, lunar light that filters through the dark clouds and fumes propagated by the fire of a ship, which accentuate and contribute to the general sense of competitive vigor in the painting. The background tones of the entire composition, dark but at the same time intense and brilliant, accentuated by the patches of intense red color that characterize the drafting, increase the violence of this night clash. For comparative purposes, we can mention the pair of “Battles of Fornovo” (Pinacoteca di Parma), one diurnal and the other nocturnal, in which he gives a first taste of his luminous peculiarities through the artificial light of the background explosion, and again the two ovals “Explosion of the powder magazine” and Siege of a castle” (Millon Paris 27.9.23 [1], see photos in details) already exhibited at the Circolo della Stampa in Milan. Finally, there are the two paintings with naval battles from the Cariparma Foundation (https://catalogo.fondazionezeri.unibo.it/scheda/opera/85958/). The work is presented in excellent condition, facilitated by the copper support, completed by a fine gilded frame made to measure, not coeval with the painting. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The painting is sold with a certificate of authenticity and descriptive iconographic sheet. We take care of and organize the transport of the purchased works, both for Italy and abroad, through professional and insured carriers. In the event that the work is purchased by non-Italian customers, it will be necessary to obtain an export permit which takes approximately 10/20 days, our gallery will take care of the entire phase up to obtaining it. All costs of this procedure are included. If you wish to see this or other works in person, we will be happy to welcome you to our new gallery in Riva del Garda, in Viale Giuseppe Canella 18. We are waiting for you! Contact us for any information or to organize a visit, we will be happy to answer you. Follow us also on: https://www.instagram.com/galleriacastelbarco/?hl=it https://www.facebook.com/galleriacastelbarco/