Francesco Spicuzza, Italian-American, 1883-1962. Wisconsin. Landscape, genre, and still-life paintings. Similar artists: William Samuel Horton, Abraham Walkowitz, William James Glackens, Jane Peterson, J. Alden Weir, and Bruce Crane. Influenced by: Edward H. Potthast, Maurice Prendergast, John F. Carlson. 

"Beach Scene" is an oil on canvas that is signed along the lower right. 16 x 20 in, 22.5 x 26.5 in frame.

Private Collection, WI

Spicuzza studied drawing and anatomy with Robert Schade and Alexander Mueller. He won the bronze and silver medals from the St. Paul Institute in 1913 and 1914, and the gold medal from the Milwaukee Art Institute. Spicuzza is known for his depictions of Milwaukee beach scenes with figures in multi-colored attire. This painting of a beach, like many of his works, portrays American Impressionist style and leisurely subject while spotlighting the energy and inhibition of childÕs play. He often applied pigment in rich hues blended with subtle colors, spread on in impasto to reflect the brightness of summer hair. Spicuzza would also tilt the picture plane to cast the viewer slightly above the scene. In 1917 International Studio described his work as capturing a genuine out-of-door feeling, which the artist was able to render through keen observation when painting en plein air. This beach scene depicts four figures in the water, that perhaps make up one family. The two children in the center hold hands as they survey the incoming waves, while the two adult figures exchange gazes.