The Fourth State 1901

Pellizza da Volpedo created ‘The Fourth State’ using oil on canvas. Initially, the overwhelming effect of the painting resides in its symmetrical structure and the bold handling of light. The figures, rendered with almost photographic clarity, are set against a vibrant landscape and sky. The composition, which can at first appear simple, is, in fact, a highly organized structure. The use of color, particularly the contrast between the golden light and the reddish hues, doesn’t merely represent nature; rather, it embodies the intense emotional and political energies of the era. This interplay suggests not just a visual experience but also a semiotic system—a set of signs conveying social and ideological meanings. The concept of ‘The Fourth State’ invites us to examine the broader dialogue between art and society, aesthetics and politics. Volpedo used innovative pictorial strategies to not only record the world but also challenge and redefine it.