Author Description

This is the first major book on the work of the Italian painter Ettore de Conciliis to be published in the United States.Versatile and highly skilled in various techniques, Ettore de Conciliis' work has undergone a notable development: from his well-know murals (1965-1974) and the "land art" Memorial of Portella della Ginestra in Italy, to the luminous landscapes and still lifes of today.De Conciliis has concentrated on landscapes for the past fifteen years, producing original and highly lyrical images of the countryside north of Rome and on Long Island, where he spends part of the year. In these paintings he brilliantly captures the soft, sensuous quality of light of the Italian landscape and the contrasting sparkle and clarity of New England.De Conciliis is equally dedicated to still lifes. These paintings in the words of Donelson Hoopes "...are more formally balanced (than his landscapes), a device which compels attention to the forms of the objects presented. Color and light are employed as the means here and not the end, perhaps the most important distinction between his still life and landscape paintings. What unites the two fields of his work is an underlying warmth and richness of tonality that is manifested throughout his oeuvre."This beautifully illustrated monograph presents a selection of paintings from the past decade with 115 color plates. Two critics - the American, Donelson Hoopes, and the Italian, Maurizio Marini - provide thoughtful essays on de Conciliis' work. Also included are a comprehensive chronology, exhibition history, and selected bibliography.The book accompanies his 1992 exhibitions at Hammer Galleries, New York and at Conacher Gallery, San Francisco.