Edgar Alwin Payne - The Water Front, Sottomarina, Italy 29" x 29"

Edgar Alwin Payne (American, 1883-1947)
The Water Front, Sottomarina, Italy, n. d.

Oil on canvas
Canvas: 29” x 29”
Frame: 36.25” x 36.25”

Signed Lower Left: EDGAR PAYNE

The nautical town of Sottomarina, Italy is painted with Payne’s signature California impressionist flair. Payne captures the scene through sweeping, broad strokes, immersing the viewer in a symphony of earth tones. The water becomes a mirror, reflecting the serene stillness of docked boats and quaint townhouses, while shapes of bustling figures on land add a dynamic charm to the tranquil vista. Payne's mastery lies in his ability to evoke lifelike details amidst his loose impressionistic style, where sunlight weaves through the canvas, infusing each stroke with a radiant vitality. This composition, like many of his works, offers a tantalizing glimpse into a momentary vignette of a larger, interconnected narrative, subtly hinting at the expansive beauty that lies beyond the confines of the painting.

Provenance:
John Moran Auctioneers, California and American Fine Art Auction, Monrovia, CA, November 14, 2023, Lot 58
Private Collection, Utah
Literature:  Anderson, Anthony, and Fred S. Hogue, "Edgar Alwin Payne and his Works," (Los Angeles: Stendhal Art Galleries, 1926), pg. 41, fig. 24.