Koi Pond Painting By Aurelio Battaglia Appraisal

Koi Pond Painting by Aurelio Battaglia

This is a large-format watercolor and gouache painting on paper by the renowned Disney artist Aurelio Battaglia. The artwork depicts a vibrant koi pond scene with four stylized koi fish swimming amidst oversized Lily pads and white lotus flowers. The composition utilizes a sophisticated blend of organic textures and geometric precision, characteristic of Mid-Century Modern illustration. The color palette is rich, featuring deep blues and greens in the water contrasted against the bright oranges, yellows, and grays of the fish, and the crisp white of the floral blooms. The execution shows expert brushwork with visible layering and transparency typical of high-quality watercolor techniques. The piece appears to be in very good condition with no visible foxing, fading, or water damage, though it is viewed through glazing which may obscure some minor surface details. It is mounted within a wide white mat and housed in a modern, slim black metal or wood frame. Based on the style and the artist's career, this piece likely dates from the mid-to-late 20th century. The craftsmanship reflects Battaglia's background in professional animation and fine art illustration, showing a high level of control over the medium and a dynamic sense of movement within the composition. The large scale and the 'Battaglia' attribution suggest it is a significant studio work rather than a commercial sketch.