19th Century Italian School Pastel of a Sailing Vessel

A finely rendered 19th century Italian school pastel depicting a lone sailing vessel at sea, its dark sail dramatically silhouetted against a pale atmospheric sky. Executed with delicate tonal transitions, the work captures both the quiet rhythm of the water and the grandeur of maritime life, recalling the Romantic sensibility of the period.

The composition is notable for its expressive handling of light and shadow—subtle washes of white pastel shimmer across the surface of the water, contrasting with the richly worked blacks of the sail. This interplay imbues the piece with both immediacy and poetic calm, hallmarks of Italian marine painting in the late 19th century.

The drawing is custom framed under glass, presented within a restrained carved frame that enhances the elegance of the composition while preserving the integrity of the fragile pastel medium.

Medium: Pastel on paper

School: Italian, 19th century

Dimensions (framed):

• Height: 15.5 in. (39 cm)
• Width: 14.5 in. (37 cm)

Condition: Excellent, with minor toning and surface variations consistent with age. Protected under glass.

Provenance: Private collection.