Who painted Fresco Fragment?

Fresco Fragment was painted by Icilio Federico Joni in 1916.

Where can I see Fresco Fragment?

Fresco Fragment is held by National Gallery of Ireland.

What movement is Fresco Fragment?

Fresco Fragment is associated with Naïve art.

Can I buy a print of Fresco Fragment?

Museum-quality prints of Fresco Fragment are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Fresco Fragment

Icilio Federico Joni , 1916

Fresco Fragment is an unspecified painting by the Naïve art artist Icilio Federico Joni. It dates from 1916 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1916 by Irish artist Icilio Federico Joni, this small fresco fragment is part of the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland. The work depicts a compact group of four figures set against a simple pastoral backdrop of trees, rolling hills and a clear sky.

Subject & Meaning

A woman in a blue dress with a white head covering occupies the third position, while the fourth wears a white dress adorned with red motifs.

The scene presents four individuals standing side by side, engaged in quiet interaction. One figure on the far left has long, curly hair and a red shirt; next to them is a dark‑haired person in a dark garment. A woman in a blue dress with a white head covering occupies the third position, while the fourth wears a white dress adorned with red motifs.

The central figure holds a long white ribbon bearing red lettering, suggesting a possible ceremonial or commemorative purpose.

Technique & Style

Executed as a fresco, the painting employs the traditional method of applying pigment to wet plaster, which gives the surface a matte, integrated quality. Joni’s palette is restrained, using earth tones for the landscape and brighter reds and blues to highlight the figures, while the sky is rendered in soft blues and white clouds, creating a modest yet harmonious visual balance.

History & Provenance

The fragment entered the National Gallery of Ireland’s holdings in the early twentieth century, though precise acquisition details remain limited. Its dating to circa 1916 places it within Joni’s mature period, when he was exploring public and decorative commissions that combined figurative representation with modest decorative elements.