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A rapturous, evocative motion attends this olive picker on a windswept Tuscan hill. Note how excellently the curves of the olive branches, the trunk of the tree, tresses of hair and dress merge so perfectly with the lettering. Here, Nomellini is displaying a nominal gesture to the precepts of Divisionism (a type of Neo-Impressionistic artistic style and school) within a Symbolist context. (Rennert)

Plinio Nomellini was an Italian painter born in Livorno, Italy. At the age of 19 he moved to Florence, after he had successfully applied for a scholarship at the Academy of Fine Arts. Nomellini followed with great interest the courses of Giovanni Fattori, a painter also from Livorno, who quickly recognized Nomellini's talent and from then on encouraged him. Through him he learned the effect of light. NHe was co-founder of the Macchiaioli group of artists, which was committed to the implementation of realism.

Gioia tirrena (Isadora Duncan)  oil on canvas 1914.

Already at his first exhibitions, visitors recognized Nomellini's talent for lighting. His pictures stood out from the crowd. An extraordinary achievement! Diego Martelli, a well-known Italian art critic, also praised the art student in his reviews, which in retrospect served his success. After his studies, the painter moved to Genoa. Over the years he devoted himself to artistic research and continued to develop his style. During this time, the working class in Liguria revolted. Nomellini captured the protests in several works of art. Impressively, he was able to convey the mood of the place to the viewer - thanks to his talent for light and color.

Meanwhile he exhibited his works at large international art exhibitions in Milan. His independent style was popular and always attracted positive attention. Later he also devoted himself to landscape painting. He fell in love with the area so much that he finally moved to the coastal town of Viareggio. His house became a meeting place for intellectuals. He also regularly took part in major exhibitions in Rome, Florence and the Venice Biennale. He returned to Florence shortly before his death. Here he died during the Second World War, in 1943. Nomellini was 77 years old. (meisterdrucke)

Ricordi Portfolio Cover

This is a selection from the very rare commemorative portfolio published by the renowned Italian printer Ricordi in 1914. The portfolio consisted of 70 lithographic plates (smaller versions) of Ricordi's greatest posters printed between 1895 and 1914. Many of the images in the series are so rare that they can be found today in no other format. In the 1870s, Ricordi opened an in-house lithography shop to promote its operas and sheet music business.

Printing presses "Officine G. Ricordi & C." in Milan. 

Ricordi quickly became the leading lithographer in Italy and by 1895 was creating posters for other clients such as Campari, the Milan newspaper Corriere della Sera, and the Mele Department store of Naples. Under the tutelage of Adolfo Hohenstein, a brilliant stable of artists emerged at Ricordi.

Including Cappiello, Caldanzano, Cavaleri, Laskoff, Metlicovitz and Mataloni 
who brought Art Nouveau, known as Stile Liberty in Italy, to a world class level. Much like the famous Maitre de L'Affiche series created by Cheret in Paris, this portfolio celebrated the rise of the poster - which in Italy was almost single-handedly accomplished by Ricordi. (www.internationalposter.com)