Francesco Malacrea (trieste 1812-1886) Still Life With Fruits

This still life with fruits was executed in 1857 by the still life painter Francesco Malacrea. Born in Trieste in 1813, where he died in 1886. His family was from the region of Friuli. He was eccentric both in his demeanor and in his dress. He often painted several pictures, next to each other, on belts of the same canvas, and then sold them on the street, simply cutting what customers wanted. He depicted flowers, vegetables, fruits, game and fish. Five of his works are in the collection of the Civico Museo Revoltella de Trieste, next to the painting on display, the Narodna galerija also holds Still life with fruits and small basket, Inv. No. 3024. Dead birds and victims are kept in Strmol Castle near Kranj.

Literature: Franco Firmiani-Sergio Molesi, Catalogo della Galleria d´Arte Moderna del Civico Museo Revoltella, Trieste 1970, pp. 93-94, tab. 58, figg. 66-69 (text: Franco Firmiani); Enrico Castelnuovo, La Pittura in Italia, l'Ottocento, Volume 2, Electa, 1991; Claudio H. Martelli, Dizionario degli artisti di Trieste, dell´isontino, dell´Istria e della Dalmazia, 4ª edizione, Trieste, Hammerle Editori, 2009
Inscription: signed and dated 1857 lower right.
Technique: oil on canvas. Period gold-plated frame.
Dimensions: unframed 52 x 40 cm, framed 64 x 52.5 cm.
Condition: in good condition.