Description
Sunset in the city, oil on canvas , cm 80 x cm 80 , Occhiobello , 2014 .
Technique and Composition
Tognin’s mastery is revealed through a sophisticated mixed technique that combines both palette knife and brush strokes.
The artist utilizes the brush to weave fluid, atmospheric transitions across the fiery red and orange sky, where a radiant yellow sun bursts forward in the top-left corner. In contrast, the heavy, structured application of the palette knife builds a thick, impasto texture in the lower foreground.
This mosaic of short, rectangular blocks of pigment mimics the chaotic energy of city streets, reflecting neon lights and moving traffic. Rising vertically against the burning sky, fragmented skyscraper spires anchor the composition, while a prominent, dark streetlamp arches on the right, guiding the viewer’s eye into the heart of the metropolis.
The color choices showcase Tognin’s signature approach to contrasting, primordial emotions. Intense crimson, burning copper, and bright saffron collide dramatically in the upper canvas, conveying vitality and warmth.
