Lionello Balestrieri (1872-1958)

- Oil on canvas. Original canvas lined. - In the twilight of a Viennese salon that still exudes the musty aroma of frivolity and spilled champagne, Beethoven sits at the piano as if bowing over an altar in ruins. Deaf to the echo of courtly laughter that fades in the hallways, the maestro inhabits a marble silence, where the last hope of a tangible love has withered like a petal in the frost. It is in that abandonment, at the epicenter of his absolute solitude, that his fingers begin to weave the notes of “An die ferne Geliebte,” not as a song, but as a bridge of sound launched toward the unattainable. As the music rises from the abyss, a woman with vaporous contours remains still on the windowsill, outlined against the summer moon that pours liquid silver over the Danube. She is the synthesis of all absences, a silent presence that seems to drink in the air heavy with genius and torment. Beethoven does not look at her, but feels her in the vibration of the floor, in the porosity of the night; he writes for her, for the distant beloved, while the river flows below like time slipping away. In that salon, abandoned to the shadows of a hollow aristocracy, the melody becomes the only sacred bond, a lyrical sigh that crosses physical distance to die, with a wrenching sweetness, at the threshold of a heart that can now only be possessed through memory and art. - Lionello Balestrieri (1872–1958) was an Italian painter whose life trajectory embodies the transition from sentimental naturalism to the vanguards of the 20th century. Trained initially in the academies of Naples and Florence, his fate was sealed by his move to Paris in the 1890s, where he immersed himself in Montmartre’s bohemia and formed a deep friendship with composer Giuseppe Vannicola. This symbiosis between image and sound granted him international glory at the 1900 Universal Exposition, where his famous canvas Beethoven became an icon of fin-de-siècle melancholy. After a period as director of the Academy of Fine Arts in Naples, where he attempted to renew local languages, his work evolved toward an impressionist and post-Macchiaiolo maturity, consolidating his legacy as a master of atmosphere and a cartographer of the states of the human soul confronted with the phenomenon of beauty. Beethovenian fantasies of Lionello Balestrieri materialize as a visual translation of nineteenth-century melancholy, where music no longer remains an acoustic phenomenon but becomes a dense, palpable atmosphere. In his renowned work Beethoven, awarded at the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1900, Balestrieri does not seek the heroic portrait of the genius, but the emotional resonance of his work in the bohemian spirit: a group of figures absorbed in the shadows of a studio, surrendered to the power of a sonata that seems to dictate the geometry of abandonment. His brushstrokes capture that romantic “pathos” where the violin acts as a stiletto that tears the silence, transforming space into a stage for collective introspection; it is a painting that is not looked at, but heard, capturing that mystical moment when Beethovenian harmony suspends time and sinks the viewer into a dream of shadows, where music is the only light capable of inhabiting the artist’s solitude. - Framed image dimensions: 102 x 70 cm / 120 x 88 cm with exclusive custom frame. At Montbaron Gallery, we are pleased to offer our clients an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique, original and unrepeatable. Each piece in our gallery results from deep dedication, a creative vision, and masterful technique—qualities that guarantee its authenticity. The works we sell are not industrial reproductions; they are pieces created individually by recognized artists, each with its own story and essence. Originality is the foundation of our commitment to excellence, and therefore every painting or sculpture that forms part of our collection is carefully selected to ensure its singularity. Acquiring a work from Montbaron Gallery means owning an unreproducible piece, an investment in creativity and talent that will, over time, preserve its artistic and emotional value. We are proud to offer works that not only beautify spaces but also connect our clients with the richness of human expression through the most authentic art. Thus, we guarantee that every work that leaves our gallery is a one-of-a-kind piece in the world, with no replicas, and a testament to the innovation and passion of the artists we work with. Certain lots, due to their age and value, require an export permit issued by the Ministry of Culture. Although this is an administrative procedure, it is essential to ensure the authenticity of the work and its free circulation internationally. Montbaron Gallery is committed to offering its clients original, unique and unrepeatable artworks, guaranteeing the authenticity and quality of each piece in our collection. To ensure transparency and trust in every purchase, we offer a digital Guarantee Certificate, signed by a certified art historian. This certificate attests that the purchased work has been authenticated by our experts, who verify authorship, origin and condition. The Guarantee Certificate includes full details about the piece, such as author, creation date, technique used, and dimensions. The digital Guarantee Certificate will be issued upon the client’s request, providing an official reference for the acquired piece. This document will be sent in digital format and will be signed by a gallery art historian, ensuring its validity and backing. We are committed to our clients’ satisfaction and confidence, so any questions about authenticity or condition of the artwork will be addressed professionally and diligently. To request your Guarantee Certificate, please contact us through our usual channels. As experts in art logistics, Montbaron Gallery is committed to ensuring that each piece reaches its destination safely and in the best possible condition. To this end, we work with a network of professionals specialized in art transport, who guarantee the utmost care throughout the process. It is important to note that the shipping cost prices indicated in the listing are indicative and subject to modification depending on various circumstances. These include fluctuations in transportation market rates, changes in delivery location, the size and weight of the work, and possible extraordinary circumstances, such as changes in fuel costs or adjustments in customs and import tariffs. The final shipping cost will be calculated precisely based on these factors, and the client will always be informed in advance before proceeding with shipment. Our aim is to provide the best possible service, tailored to each client’s needs and ensuring the artwork arrives at its destination quickly and safely, with no surprises. The frame shown in the images above has been added to the work by a third party or by the seller, and is not an integral part of the object. This frame is provided at no additional cost so that, when the work arrives at your home, it can be exhibited immediately on your wall. Accordingly, no damages to the frame that do not affect the integrity of the work will be accepted as a valid reason to open a claim or request a cancellation. We encourage you to bid with confidence on the pieces in our gallery. Each work we offer is original, unique, and unrepeatable, selected with the utmost care and authenticity. Whether you are looking for a piece to enrich your personal collection or to add exceptional value to your space, Montbaron Gallery offers a secure and transparent platform for you to bid in a simple and professional way. Art auctions are the perfect place to discover works that could become the heart of your collection. Here, you are not just acquiring art; you are investing in something that will grow in value over time, both aesthetically and culturally. Montbaron Gallery pieces not only reflect the talent of established artists, but also have the power to transform spaces and enrich lives. Do not miss this opportunity to be part of something unique. Bidding on a Montbaron Gallery work is more than a transaction; it is an act of appreciation for art in its purest form. We invite you to bid with passion and join us on this exciting journey toward discovery and celebration of art. Your next favorite work awaits you! The descriptions and visual presentations of the artworks included in our catalog are for the sole purpose of offering a general, aesthetic, and narrative approximation of the pieces that form Montbaron Gallery’s collection. Art, in its material nature, may present color nuances or textures that vary depending on lighting or the user’s screen configuration. It is also noted that indicated dimensions may show minor physical variations inherent to the framing process or the original support. For rigorous consultation, collectors are advised to refer exclusively to the technical sheet accompanying each piece, where all technical information, certified measurements, and condition are stated with exactness.

Estimate:$1,796.73

View all items fromCatawikiorMiscellaneous