Lake Silvaplana and Piz de la Margna, Engadin, Switzerland

An extraordinary Lake Silvaplana oil painting on canvas by the renowned painter Clément Castelli, depicting the majestic alpine vista of Lake Silvaplana and Piz de la Margna in the Engadin region near St. Moritz.

Technical Details:

Item Code: QM253
Period: Circa 1910
Origin: France
Artist: Clément Castelli (1870-1959)
Technique: Oil on canvas

Artwork Dimensions: 46 x 65 cm (18.1 x 25.6 in)
Dimensions with Frame: 63 x 83 cm (24.8 x 32.7 in)

Description:

This evocative Lake Silvaplana oil painting on canvas captures a luminous alpine scene featuring Lake Silvaplana and the imposing profile of Piz de la Margna rising in the background, set in the iconic Engadin region near St. Moritz. Signed in the lower right corner by Clément Castelli (1870-1959), an Italian-born painter naturalized French who specialized in alpine landscape painting with a rich, delicate touch.

The composition is masterfully structured along overlapping horizontal planes. In the lower section, the mirror-like water occupies nearly half of the pictorial surface, reflecting the mountain slopes, lush vegetation, and soft cloud formations with a serene, luxury feel. The shoreline runs through the center, dotted with conifers and a charming small settlement, beyond which the dramatic rock face of Piz de la Margna towers upward.

The painterly execution highlights a dynamic and textured application of color: fluid, diluted washes create the calm lake surface and its warm reflections, while impasto brushstrokes and palette-knife work define the rugged rock formations and snow patches. The palette unfolds in cold tones of azure, slate gray, and violet, subtly balanced by earthy ochre hues along the shore. Preserving a refined patina, this masterpiece is housed within its original carved and lacquered wooden frame in shades of white and beige, complete with the artist’s original metallic ID plate.

Clément-François Castelli (1870 – 1959)

Born in Premia (Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Piedmont) in 1870 into a family originally from Varzo, Clément Castelli moved to Paris in 1880 to pursue his studies. He spent his life moving between France (Paris and the Alps) and Italy.
Trained at the Accademia Libera in Rome and perfected through an artistic “Grand Tour” across Italy, he studied in France under artists Jules Adler and Léon Bellemont. In 1925, he co-organized and exhibited at the Italo-Swiss Exhibition in Domodossola, receiving a medal from King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy, while the municipality acquired two of his canvases.
An active member since 1927 of the prestigious Société des Peintres de Montagne (Society of Mountain Painters), he served as curator of its exhibitions from 1934 until his tragic death in a road accident in Paris in 1959.

Career and Recognition
– Parisian Salons: Exhibited regularly at the Salon des Indépendants (from 1913), the Salon des Artistes Français (from 1921), the Salon Violet (Silver Medal in 1938), and the Salon d’Hiver between 1942 and 1951.
– Museum Collections: Two of his alpine landscapes were admitted to the Louvre Museum collections (the first in 1948).
– Honors: Appointed Officier d’Académie (1933) and Officier de l’Instruction Publique (1948).
– Restoration Activity: A highly respected restorer of fine antique paintings and expert in relining techniques. In 1915, he discovered and restored an important 15th-century fresco in the parish church of Varzo.

Style and Subjects
Castelli is widely regarded as a premiere mountain painter, facilitated by his skills as an expert mountaineer which enabled him to reach high altitudes.
– Main Subjects: The majestic peaks of the French Alps (Chamonix Valley, La Meije, Oisans), Swiss Alps (numerous views of the Matterhorn), and Italian Alps. He also painted views of the Pyrenees (Gavarnie, Gaube, Ossau).
– Technique and Palette: A prolific artist, he painted both on canvas and small wooden panels (easier to carry to high altitudes). Characterized by classical brushwork and an unmistakable cool chromatic palette, perfect for capturing the unique light and rich atmosphere of glaciers and alpine valleys.
– Archival Note: His Parisian studio was located at 4 Rue du Faubourg-du-Temple (often identifiable via a stamp on the reverse of his works).