(Monza 1840–1904)
Milano, Nevicata in città, (Snowy City), signed, dated Mosè. Bianchi 1888,
oil on panel, 31 x 44 cm, framed

Provenance:
Acquired by the father of the current owner in 1985;
Thence by descent to the current owner,
Private Collection Italy.

Exhibited:
Monza, Villa Reale, Mostra commemorativa di Mosè Bianchi, May-October 1924, no. 103

Catalogued and illustrated in:
Exhibition catalogue, Mostra commemorativa di Mosè Bianchi, Guido Marangoni, Istituto italiano d’arti grafiche ed., Bergamo 1924, p. 52, no. 19;
Catalogo della Pittura Italiana dell’Ottocento, Mondadori 1978, p. 32, no. 7; Catalogo della Pittura Italiana dell’Ottocento, Mondadori 1983, p. 97, no. 12.

This painting depicts one of the many vistas of Milan covered in snow that were made from about 1888 onwards. It makes specific reference to “Winter at Porta Ticinese”, dated 1888 (Mosè Bianchi - Catalogo Ragionato, p.347, no.535) or to “A Snowfall in Milan”, held by the Galleria d’Arte Moderna di Milano.

This piece takes up the common theme of a snowy Milanese square with a scene of popular life that is full of little vignettes. In this view, the leaden greyness of the sky merges seamlessly with the slush and snow on the road. In the background, it is possible to make out a snow-capped dome, while in the foreground, a white horse is pulling a cart, a subject akin to the pair of horses pulling a yellow carriage that is a near-constant presence in paintings of Milan. For Mosè Bianchi.1888 is perhaps the most significant year in the quest for high-quality composition and painting