Loading the Boats at Dawn; Arriving Ashore

Attilio Pratella was born in Central Italy in the small town of Ravenna. In 1880 he enrolled in the Academy in Bologna where he had some early successes exhibiting his work. Yet, as early as one year later, he felt the call to move to Naples, a metropolis whose art scene was more lively and sponsored more serious exhibitions. From the years 1881-1911 he participated regularly in shows at the Promotrice Salvatore Rosa, but at the same time he expanded his reach to include works in shows in Rome, Venice, Florence and even Berlin.

His paintings offer a wide range of subject matter, mostly drawn from local Southern Italian scenes. He is perhaps best know for marine seascapes of local fisherman and street scenes of various neighborhoods of Naples. While most of his work was executed in oil, the present pair of works on paper show the amazing fluidity with which he handled the watercolor medium. Pratella showcases his signature use of light in the reflection of the sun on the water-whose ripple effect is further enhanced by quick touches of white.