Artist: Nicola Simbari
Title: Sailboats in Venice
Medium: Original Acrylic on Canvas
Canvas Size: 17.75" x 29.5"
Frame Size: 22.75" x 34.5" x 1"
Inscription: Signed and dated Simbari 62 on Front Lower Right
Year: 1962
Documentation: Includes Gallery Certificate of Authenticity
Condition: Some surface craquelure, true to life in photos
Renowned Italian painter Nicola Simbari captures the lively spirit of the Venetian waterfront with radiant color and rhythmic composition in "Sailboats in Venice" (1962). Painted in his signature Simbaresco style—characterized by expressive palette knife strokes and bold, saturated hues—this original acrylic on canvas is a joyful celebration of motion, color, and light. This piece is a testament to Simbari's lifelong exploration of light, color, and Mediterranean life. With its joyful palette and modernist approach, this painting embodies the artist's unique ability to translate atmosphere and emotion into visual poetry.
Simbari's soaring sailboats appear to dance across a vibrant teal sea, their sails rendered in vivid shades of red, yellow, pink, and white. The juxtaposition of these bright, sun-drenched colors against the cool, jewel-toned background creates a striking contrast that infuses the scene with energy and optimism. His dynamic technique, marked by heavy impasto and gestural movement, brings the boats to life in a way that feels both immediate and timeless.
A master of capturing fleeting moments, Simbari transforms this Venetian seascape into a symphony of color and abstraction. Though grounded in representation, the painting evokes a sense of dreamlike spontaneity, as if the viewer has stumbled upon a perfect moment of wind, water, and sun.
A signed and dated original from the early 1960s, "Sailboats in Venice" is a rare and luminous example of Simbari's enduring legacy. Please be aware there is some craquelure on the canvas, not uncommon for Simbari works due to his heavy paint application. The photos are true-to-life and will give you an accurate representation of the condition.
About Nicola Simbari
Nicola Simbari (1927–2012) was an acclaimed Italian painter celebrated for his vibrant use of color, bold brushwork, and expressive Mediterranean scenes. Born in San Lucido, Calabria, and raised in Rome, Simbari developed an early passion for art influenced by the architectural beauty and classical heritage of his surroundings. His father was an architect for the Vatican, and that proximity to design and structure had a lasting impact on Simbari's sense of composition and form.
Simbari studied at the prestigious Accademia di Belle Arti in Rome, where he developed a strong foundation in classical technique before breaking away to pursue his own modern, emotionally charged style. By his mid-20s, Simbari was exhibiting in galleries throughout Europe, quickly earning a reputation for his dynamic palette and evocative imagery. His first solo show in London in the 1950s was met with critical acclaim and catapulted him onto the international art scene.
Simbari's work is deeply rooted in the sun-drenched landscapes and coastal villages of southern Italy, Greece, and France. His paintings often feature bustling street scenes, café culture, seaside views, and elegant figures rendered with energetic strokes and lush, saturated color. The intensity of his hues—particularly his signature blues, reds, and yellows—combined with sweeping, gestural lines, evokes both the heat and rhythm of Mediterranean life.
While his subject matter is often representational, Simbari infused his paintings with a modern, almost abstract sensibility. He worked in both oil and acrylic, frequently applying paint with a palette knife to create rich texture and dynamic movement. His unique fusion of impressionism and expressionism places him in a category all his own—simultaneously timeless and contemporary.
Throughout his career, Simbari's work was exhibited in major galleries across Europe, the United States, and Asia. His paintings were collected by public institutions and private collectors alike, including the Italian government, the Vatican, and the White House. Notable commissions include murals for the Italian Pavilion at the 1958 Brussels World's Fair and a series of paintings for the European Economic Community.
Despite his international success, Simbari remained deeply connected to his Italian roots, maintaining studios in Rome and the countryside. His love for color, light, and life is evident in every brushstroke, and his works continue to resonate with viewers around the world for their joyous celebration of beauty and emotion.
Nicola Simbari passed away in 2012, leaving behind a rich legacy as one of Italy's most vibrant and beloved 20th-century painters. Today, his work endures as a testament to the power of color and the enduring allure of the Mediterranean spirit.
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