A Curious Work of Art: c.1905 Painting on Window Screen

(detail)


"Mattinata" 
c. 1905 
Signed: G.Pittante
Folk painting on window screen
measures: 9" x 24", archival framed
Rare!

What a curious work of art,
Reminiscent of Aesop's Fables,
a title suggesting a 1904 romantic operetta by Ruggiero Leoncavallo (1857-1919).
The artist has painted a crow with sheet music, instructing other birds upon the dawn.
A morning light,
long ago,
having once entered that very window.

"L'Aurora, di bianco vestita,
Già l'uscio dischiude al gran sol..." 

 "Mattinata" 

The dawn, dressed in white,
has already opened the door to the sun,
and with pink fingers
caresses the myriads with flowers.
A mysterious trembling seems
to disturb all nature,
yet you will not get up, and vainly
I stand here sadly and sing.
Dress yourself, too, in white
and open the door to your serenader!
Where you are not, all is dark,
where you are, love is born!