Description
This is a small painting of Tiberius Steps in Capri, signed by 20th century artist Silvani.
Very much reminds this work that was sold in an auction in 2023: https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/lots-road-auctions/catalogue-id-srlot10503/lot-d8b287e1-11fe-4731-89b0-b0d10114b779, dated 1974.
This piece is a bit smaller and the climbing lady wears blue dress and not red.
The mountain at the back is likely Monte Tiberio.
Very colorful painting, signed "Silvani" in the lower-left corner.
Signature identical to a few other works of him depicting Mediterranean landscapes:
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/216514-the-amalfi-coast-by-silvani--oil-on
Tiberius Steps, Capri Painting
Title: Tiberius Steps, Capri
Artist: Silvani (20th-century Italian school)
Medium: Oil on canvas (board-mounted)
Signature: Signed “Silvani” in the lower-left corner
Framed Size: 24 cm x 20 cm
Unframed Size: 19.5 cm x 15.5 cm
Condition: Excellent
Date: Circa 1970s
Provenance: Purchased from a thrift store (Canada) for 10 CAD
Subject: Woman ascending stairs near the sea, with a white Mediterranean villa and Monte Tiberio in the background
Artwork Description & Background
This is a vibrant original oil painting depicting the scenic Tiberius Steps on the island of Capri, Italy. The piece features lush vegetation, a striking blue sea with small white sailboats, and a figure in a blue dress climbing toward a white arched structure, all rendered in rich impasto brushwork typical of Mediterranean coastal scenes.
The work is signed Silvani, an Italian painter active during the mid-to-late 20th century known for evocative oil scenes of the Amalfi Coast, Capri, and southern Italy. Silvani’s signature and impasto technique match verified works sold by established auction houses.
Comparative Market Analysis
Comparable paintings by Silvani have been sold at European and U.S. auction houses, typically featuring similar scenic vistas and subject matter. Examples include:
Link
Auction Link
Your painting appears to be a slightly smaller but no less skillful work from the same period and possibly the same series. The colors, brushstroke style, and perspective all align with verified examples.
Estimated Current Market Value
Note: These values assume the painting is original (not a print) and remains in excellent condition as described.
Collector Interest & Recommendations
Collectors of mid-century Italian coastal paintings and affordable regional landscapes will find this a desirable piece. Its modest size makes it ideal for display, and the subject is both charming and culturally significant. The strong, recognizable Silvani signature boosts both value and interest.
If you wish to resell, you may consider:
Authentication & Further Advice
No formal certificate is present, but the signature, composition, and medium are highly consistent with known Silvani works. If you intend to insure or sell the piece at a fine art auction, a basic authentication from a regional appraiser or auction house (e.g., Waddington's or Cowley Abbott in Canada) could be worthwhile.