by Laura Bernardeschi Nelson

Artwork Description

Whispers Beneath the Golden Sky by Laura Bernardeschi Nelson

36.0 x 46.0 cm

Title: "Whispers Beneath the Golden Sky" Medium: Oil Pastel on Paper Dimensions (approx.): Artwork: 36 x 38 cm Framed: 46 x 36 cm Framed: Yes — sold framed as pictured Year: 2025 Style: Contemporary Landscape / Measured Impressionism Surface: Acid-Free Heavyweight Paper Technical Description Whispers Beneath the Golden Sky is a richly layered oil pastel work created with deliberate technical control and an emotional, symbol-driven palette. The composition invites viewers into a dreamlike, meandering forest path under a star-spangled night sky. A golden-yellow trail curves with rhythm and intention through wild grasses and trees, vanishing into an ethereal horizon of glowing orbs and swirling midnight tones. Medium: The artist uses only premium-quality oil pastels, applied directly to heavyweight acid-free paper. The surface holds each layer with clarity and intensity, preserving the vibrancy of each pigment. No underdrawing or digital manipulation was employed—every stroke is physical, intentional, and tactile. Technique & Texture: Various mark-making tools were used—from sharpened pastel edges for linear structure to flat, rounded pressure for diffuse areas. The layering process involves alternating translucent and opaque applications, built over time to create a lush, painterly surface with visible directionality. No smudging was used; instead, pressure and overlaying were used to maintain chromatic purity. Color & Composition: The pathway’s golden hue—echoing Klimt’s luminous aesthetic—functions as both a literal trail and a metaphorical thread, guiding the viewer into the artwork. Contrasting deep ultramarine blues and starlit yellows in the sky pay homage to the emotive nightscapes of early modernism, while still rooted in a contemporary context. Each circular star form and tree arc subtly echoes the Golden Ratio, fostering a natural, intuitive balance. Planning & Perspective: The composition was pre-mapped in thumbnail studies to ensure harmonic proportion and control over flow. Foreground elements such as wildflowers and tree trunks use warmer tones and clearer edges, while cooler, desaturated hues draw the eye into the recessive space of the night forest. The path curves with natural asymmetry, creating a visual tempo—slow, quiet, inward. Philosophical & Artistic Intent Inspired by Gustav Klimt’s golden period and his use of ornament as symbol, Whispers Beneath the Golden Sky aims to evoke a space between waking and dreaming. It is not a landscape seen, but a landscape remembered or longed for—a silent forest where one walks not to arrive but to be enveloped. The glowing forms in the sky suggest celestial bodies, memories, or even guiding spirits. They are not fixed to any one interpretation, but designed to offer the viewer a gentle sense of connection—perhaps to the universe, or to their own internal quietude. The golden path is central both visually and metaphorically. It stands as a symbol of continuity, warmth, and introspection. In a world of distraction and speed, this piece offers a contemplative moment—a still corridor lit by inner light. It is an invitation to wander and listen. Collector’s Note Whispers Beneath the Golden Sky comes framed as pictured and is ready to hang. It is a unique, one-of-a-kind piece—no prints or reproductions exist. The artist’s signature is visible on the front, and the work will include a signed certificate of authenticity. This work will appeal to collectors who are drawn to emotionally resonant landscapes, the tactility of pastel, and the evocative blending of classical and contemporary influences. Ideal for intimate interior spaces where art is meant to be not just seen, but felt.

Artwork Details

Medium: Painting Pastel

Genre: Expressionism