Giudizio Universale 1938

Carlo Carra made this painting, ‘Giudizio Universale’, with what looks like tempera paint, and the subdued palette creates a mood of serene contemplation. It’s as if Carra is inviting us to witness a scene frozen in time, where the act of judgement is more about quiet observation than dramatic pronouncement. The surface has a remarkable smoothness, almost like a fresco, which lends the image a timeless quality. Look closely, and you’ll notice the delicate brushwork, especially in the rendering of the figures’ skin tones. There’s a subtle layering of colours that gives the flesh a luminous quality. In the top right, the figure with his hand on his head is beautifully rendered, a simple gesture that carries so much weight and introspection. Carra’s work often blends classical and modern elements, an ongoing dialogue in art history. It’s like he’s saying, ‘let’s not forget where we came from, even as we push forward.’