"Hannibal and his army crossing the Alps" by David Aldus (just sold 14/12/12)

£17,450.00

 

TRULY MAGNIFICENT HIGH PRESTIGE EXHIBITION STANDARD REPRODUCTION VERY LARGE (Original Size) OIL PAINTING OF TURNER'S "Hannibal and his army crossing the Alps" (1810) 

 

 This lovely very large painting, painted true to the original size, uses oils ever more transparently and turned to an evocation of almost pure light by use of shimmering colour !! For Turner, the figure of Hannibal – here leading his armies to attack Italy – had powerful associations with Napoleon. These connections had been explicitly drawn in an official portrait of Napoleon about to lead his own armies across the St Bernard Pass. Snow Storm, however, does not celebrate the power of the individual, but expresses man’s vulnerability in the face of nature’s overwhelming force. Hannibal himself is not pictured, and attention is focused upon victims of the conflict, the struggling soldiers. !!. 

One can see how Turner has used his special techniques to enhance the viewers experience of this Magnificent painting!! Turner's diagonals create unease in the viewer this uncertainty provides a silent threat! This can be seen by the rock on the left handside which leans menacingly into the composition!

 

This Massive rock is vertiginous, this dizzinging effect creates a feeling of threat! Also the Skies are replete with diagonals. The painting though extremely large creates a feeling of Claustrophobia where the figures are crushed into the lower eighth of the painting! It seems they are about to be engulfed in the jaws a huge Alpine storm!! David has used one of the most expensive, rare paints for the figures in the lower part of the painting- Venetian Red!!! 

 

This picture shows Turner's ability to use his own observation of natural effects in the representation of grand, historical events. It combines memories of his experience of a blizzard in Yorkshire with a dramatisation of the invasion of Italy by the Carthaginian general Hannibal, in 218 BC. Hannibal's bold move was intended to catch the Romans off guard. With an army of 50,000 infantry, 9,000 cavalry and 37 elephants he crossed Pyrenees, the river Rhône and then, battling through the snow, crossed the Alps. The general himself does not appear in Turner's picture. Instead, he focuses on the distress of Hannibal's army and on the snow whirling through the mountain pass and obscuring the sun, proclaiming the Carthaginians' eventual, inevitable defeat. The picture underlines Turner's pessimistic view of mankind, although it was popular with contemporary viewers because it suggested a parallel between Hannibal and Napoleon, who had crossed the Alps to invade Italy in 1797 - thus giving hope that Napoleon too would eventually be defeated.
 

Highest price received for one of his paintings is £14,000 "Lot's Wife" Absolute investment opportunity! 

 

The incredible detail in the painting is very revealing- a large group of soldiers are heaving and pushing into what?? A mystery that died with Turner!!!

 

 

  Measurements; Exact size of Turner's original  5 foot  x  8 foot    57.5" x 93"        ( 146 cms x 237 cms)

 

 

 

  Oil on Canvas ..............

                                   Ref only;Wikipedia; david aldus                               davidaldus.com                               asgard-arts.com


David Aldus the artist has exhibited with the Royal Society of British Artists ( R.B.A ); the Royal Institute of Oils (R.O.I) and the Royal Society of Marine Artists (R.S.M.A)  He has been nominated twice as a finalist in the Garrick/Milne prize exhibition held at Christies LONDON. His work has been selected for the Discerning Eye Exhibition by Art Critic, Edward Lucie Smith, where all his work was sold. He also sold all his work at the Lambeth Palace when exhibiting under the auspices of the Royal Society of Marine Artists. Highest price received for one of his paintings is £14,000. "Lot's wife"  see davidaldus.com  . This painting was the same size as Turner's Hannibal crossing the Alps 5 foot by 8 foot. David Aldus also sold "A tribute to the people of Malta" that sold for £10,000. The same painting was the subject of a congratulatory letter from Queen Elizabeth II. Lord Lewin, Admiral of the Fleet also sent a letter of congratulations.He has held one or two-man shows at Knightsbridge; South Kensington; Windsor and numerous other venues. He has exhibited in Westminster Central Hall; Royal Festival Hall;Birmingham's Royal British Artists exhibition;Victoria Art Gallery, Bath; Rooksmoor Gallery, Bath; London Guildhall; Mann Island, Liverpool; Christies, the London Auction House, etc. GUARANTEED TO BE 100% ORIGINAL AND GENUINE WITH C.O.A.


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