The Sea, the City, and the Golden Hour: Impressionist Maritime and Urban Landscapes by Robert Padovano
This exhibition closed on September 1, 2024
In the tradition of the great Impressionist painters, Staten Island artist Robert Padovano is known for his ability to create luminosity on his canvases. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he is a self-taught painter who has drawn inspiration from urban landscapes throughout his life, and like the Noble Maritime Collection’s namesake, John A. Noble, he compels his audience to look upon New York City’s waterfront with a new perspective.
“Much of my childhood was filled with memories of rooftop views of the city from the elevated trains, and sparkling panoramas of bridges lit up at night. I find these subjects lend themselves beautifully to Impressionistic interpretation and they frequently make their way into my paintings. The effect of changing light upon city streets and buildings is very compelling.
“When I paint, my goal is to capture the atmosphere around a subject, not just the subject itself. Whether it is the color of the morning air, the look of the city after a heavy rain, or how the late afternoon sun can completely change the mood of a day, it is this that is most meaningful to me.”
Guest-curated by Robert and Peggy Padovano
Selections from the exhibition
The Sea, the City, and the Golden Hour: Impressionist Maritime and Urban Landscapes by Robert Padovano was made possible, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; the New York State Council on the Arts, with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature; and by a grant from the Lily Auchincloss Foundation.