Italian 20th C. Oil on Panel “Battipanni” ‘The Carpet Beaters’ by Nino Caffè

The beater is a wicker tool in the shape of a spatula with long handle used in household cleaning for the removal of dust from clothes, padding of armchairs and sofas, cushions and rugs.

Nino Caffe (1909-1975) was known for his humorous depictions of cardinals in engaged in playful activities. Born in 1909, Nino Caffe grew up studying the arts in his native, northern Italy. At an early age he joined the company of another young artist, Basaldella Afro, who would in time play an important role in the re emergence of Italian artists from controversy to prominence in the art world. Caffe exhibited often together with Afro in Milan, and from him Caffe learned to introduce into his own work the allusive and descriptive elements which would later become his trademark. The source of his compositions were the many red robed priests who were an ever present and daily part of life in the big cities of Italy, especially Rome, which he much frequented. He chose to paint them engaged in activities or humorous situations in which one would not likely see them partaking, and endeared himself to a large audience throughout the world. His works have been awarded prizes in New York and London, as well as Milan, and have been exhibited in numerous galleries and exhibitions on both continents. Impressed by the abundant sales of his works in the United States, Nino Caffe immigrated here, and lived out the rest of his life, painting and relishing his popularity. N ino coffee was born in Alfedena. province of L’Aquila in 1909. He lived and worked in the Marche region since 1931, specifically in Pesaro. In Ancona has resided between 1923 and 1930. In 1935 he graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts in Urbino, teaching in the years 1943-1944. Has alternated his work between Pesaro and Rome, where he has conducted a “study” between 1943-1944 and then from 1958-1963. From 1950 through the Obelisk Gallery, its production was absorbed by the American public and private collections, was present at many biennials of Venice and Rome Quadrennials, exposing also in New York, Knoedler Gallery, London, Tooth Gallery, Vienna, Gallery of Modern Art. E ‘dead in Pesaro in 1975.

Measures: Board height 7 1/2 inches (19.1 cm)
Board width 13 3/8 inches (34 cm)
Frame height 14 3/4 inches (37.5 cm)
Frame width 20 5/8 inches (52.4 cm)
Frame depth 2 inches (5.1 cm).