Aniello Ascione

Aniello Ascione (fl 1680 –1708) was an Italian painter of still lifes. He is regarded as an important representative of the Flemish style of Baroque still life painting and a follower of the Flemish painter Abraham Brueghel who worked in Naples in the final quarter of the 17th century.

Life

Little is known about the early life of Ascione.

He is documented in Naples from 1680 to 1708.

Work

Aniello Ascione was a specialist still life painter. He painted still lifes of fruits and flowers, but mostly fruits, in particular of grapes.

He initially painted in the style of his master Ruoppolo, which was characterised by its flashy Baroque effects. In his mature period he was influenced by the work of the Flemish painter Abraham Brueghel. Brueghel's style was characterised by its chiaroscuro, muted colors, and strong plastic forms as well as an ability to render textures realistically and create illusionistic effects confidently.

Ascione's mature works are made up of decorative still lifes of fruits and flowers placed in a landscape in semi-darkness. Some of his works reach a very high level, through their warm chromatic intonation and successful decorative effect. The identification of his oeuvre is based on the two large canvases kept at the Castello Ursino in Catania, the Still life with fruit, flowers, sculpted vase, fountain and architecture in the Museo di Capodimonte, Naples and a series of the Four Seasons in the Museum Correale in Sorrento.

Gallery