Artwork
The end of a dream
The end of a dream is an oil painting by the Symbolist artist Giuseppe Pennasilico. It dates from 1908 and is held in the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
About this work
Overview
Giuseppe Pennasilico’s oil painting *The End of a Dream* was completed in 1908 and is part of the collection of the Art Gallery of New South Wales. The work presents a solitary female figure in a domestic interior, rendered with a muted palette and careful attention to light and shadow.
Subject & Meaning
A woman in a white dress sits on an elaborately carved chair, her elbow resting on her knee and her chin supported by her hand. Her gaze is lowered, suggesting introspection or melancholy, while the surrounding furnishings and soft lamp light create an atmosphere of quiet contemplation.
Technique & Style
Pennasilico employs chiaroscuro to model the figure and the surrounding objects, allowing the lamp’s warm glow to illuminate the woman’s face against the darker background. The contrast of light and shadow enhances the sense of depth and emphasizes the texture of the carved wood and the rug’s surface.
History & Provenance
Created in the early twentieth century, the painting entered the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains on display as part of the museum’s European painting collection.
Context
The work reflects the period’s interest in intimate interior scenes and the psychological portrayal of solitary figures, aligning with broader European trends that explored mood through controlled lighting and domestic settings.
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