"Figures at Sunset" Artist: Renato Natali (Livorno, 1883 – 1979) Technique: Oil on panel Period: First half of the 20th century Dimensions: 39 x 51 cm with frame, 23.5 x 36 cm the painting. A Work of Suggestion and Memory This fascinating painting by Renato Natali captures a moment of intense everyday life, immersed in a suspended and melancholic atmosphere, typical of his best production. The work depicts three common figures (probably porters or street vendors, judging by what they carry on their heads) moving along an earthy road, presumably in the landscape of his beloved Livorno or the Tuscan Maremma. Key Highlights: Light and Color: The painting is dominated by an extraordinary chromatic palette that evokes sunset or twilight, with the sky ablaze with petrol green, orange, and pink clouds. This light is not natural, but theatrical, and gives the scene a dreamlike and romantic aura. Post-Macchiaioli Style: While deviating from the truth typical of the Macchiaioli, the work shows a synthetic and decisive brushstroke, which enhances the volumes of the figures and the landscape with skillful touches of color. Typical Subject: The human figures are an expression of the popular Livorno to which Natali dedicated a large part of his artistic life, earning the nickname "painter of memory" and "Renato of the nights". This is an authentic testimony to Natali's art, perfect for collectors who appreciate 20th century Italian painting, Post-Macchiaiolism, and the Livorno school. The work is in excellent condition. Biographical Notes: Renato Natali (1883 – 1979) Renato Natali was one of the most important exponents of the Livorno School of the 20th century, a painter deeply linked to his city and its nocturnal and popular atmospheres. Origins and Training: Born in Livorno on May 10, 1883, into a modest family. Despite his initial studies in Lorenzo Cecchi's workshop, he is considered a largely self-taught artist. The Paris Years: His stay in Paris (1912-1914), where he was a guest of the playwright Dario Niccodemi, was crucial. Here he met and associated with prominent figures such as Amedeo Modigliani, Giovanni Boldini, and Maurice Utrillo. Contact with the French avant-garde enriched his style, leading him to a painting of memory and atmosphere. The Painter of "Disappeared Livorno": Upon his return to Italy, he established himself as the singer of Livorno's nightlife, its alleys, popular neighborhoods such as "New Venice", taverns, and famous "nightly brawls". The critic Ugo Ojetti called him "Renato of the nights". He did not paint from life but relied on quick notes to then recreate the scenes in his studio, enhancing their theatrical and poetic dimension. The Labronico Group: On July 15, 1920, he was among the founders of the Labronico Group in Livorno, an association of artists with the aim of promoting Tuscan painting in Italy and abroad. Success and Collections: He exhibited several times at the Venice Biennale starting in 1905. His works are present in important public collections, such as the Gallery of Modern Art in Florence and Rome. He died in Livorno in 1979.