Quadro 

Antonio Ligabue created this painting using oil on canvas with a distinctive, expressive style. Ligabue applies paint with bold strokes, building up layers of texture that add a tactile dimension to the scene of a jaguar wrestling with a snake. The material handling is raw and direct, reflecting Ligabue's visceral engagement with his subject matter. The bright colors and flattened perspective intensify the emotional impact of the work, drawing us into the life-or-death struggle unfolding before our eyes. Ligabue did not receive any formal training, so his style relies upon the way in which he intuitively applied the paint on the canvas. The intensity of this work highlights how material and making intertwine with social context, challenging preconceived notions about artistic skill and expression. Ligabue was institutionalized for much of his life due to mental health issues, and his work provides insight into the experience of social alienation.