Emilio Longoni

Sale: Il Ponte, Milan, 20 November 1996
Purchased at the above sale by the present owner

The canvas has not been lined. There is some fine craquelure in the sky, as visible in the catalogue illustration. With the exception of very few spots of retouching in the greens in the foreground, as visible under ultra-violet light, this work is in good condition and ready to hang. Presented in a decorative gilt frame with a nameplate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In 1882 Emilio Longoni moved in with Giovanni Segantini and his wife in Brianza where, sharing a house and a studio, they started a short yet fruitful period of collaboration encouraged by dealer Vittore de Grubicy, champion of the Divisionist movement. 

Painted circa 1900, the present work is an expression of Longoni’s advancement of the Divisionist theories which he had assimilated through Grubicy and Segantini. The artist juxtaposes thin and long brushstrokes of complimentary colours (greens, yellows and purples) in the foreground, and much thicker brushstrokes in the mountains and in the sky in the background in order to convey the feeling of depth.

Longoni exhibited at the Brera Triennale in Milan in 1891 which first brought Divisionism to the attention of the Italian public. For the first time, works by Morbelli, Previati, Longoni and Nomellini were exhibited together. By the time he painted the present work, Longoni had retreated to the Lombard mountains where he painted peaceful landscapes such as the present work.