Linda Carey's eloquent Italian paintings featured at Bowery Gallery

The Bowery Gallery in Chelsea is currently presenting a collection of work by Linda Carey for an exhibition titled Italy in Mind.  As the title of the show suggests, Carey presents landscapes and still lifes inspired by Italy and Italian painting. The backgrounds of the still lifes are painted from reproductions of 13th- 15th century Italian paintings. Fragments of frescoes by Piero Della Francesca and Lorenzetti, and panel paintings by Sassetta appear behind a real space containing simple objects and raking light.

One notable work in the show titled Gourd in Grotto depicts a giant gourd very much resembling a pear with a long, curvy stem. It’s situated on a flat surface within a closed-off space with the fine buildings and hills of the Tuscany region in the background.

Another intriguing work known as Bellini Landscape With Deer eloquently depicts an animal (possibly a deer without antlers) standing tall and proud with its chest and head erect looking confidently out in the distance. By its front legs is a pumpkin and behind it are exquisitely gorgeous houses and towers saturated in a warm orange color capturing the beauty and ambience of the region.

Gourd in Grotto by Linda Carey

Carey also combines landscape and still-life with Plastic Apple, City by the Sea. As the title of the painting suggests, a granny-smith green apple can be seen at the bottom right corner on the right side of the entrance that leads to a big city which looks like a maze of tall, skinny buildings with pastel colors mostly sea green, lavender, light pink, and rose-colored set upon steep curvy hills like a magic kingdom of wonder. 

A similar painting titled Arezzo With Onions depicts a medium sized dark red colored onion next to a smaller reddish orange onion with the tall, white buildings of the charming city of Arezzo behind the two vegetables, as though a world of possibilities and adventure awaits.

An avid traveler, Carey has painted throughout picturesque countries like France, Ireland, and of course Italy. She lives and works in Williamsburg, Virginia and has taught at the College of William and Mary and participated in numerous studio programs.

At the Bowery Gallery 530 W. 25th St., through Jul. 9. The gallery is open Tue.-Sat. from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.