Sonno Di Rugiada 2018

Roberto Ferri painted *Sonno Di Rugiada* with oils, and I'm drawn in by the way Ferri embraces a sort of academic painting style to tell this story of vulnerability. It feels incredibly contemporary, but also like a flashback. The texture in this piece, especially the rendering of the skin, is super compelling. The way the light glides across the figures creates a tactile quality; you can almost feel the smoothness of their skin, especially in the woman's back and shoulders, against the rougher texture of the blue fabric. The color palette is subdued, almost monochromatic, which brings a sense of calm and introspection, that allows the gold halo behind the man to really pop. Take a look at the woman's hand that's wrapped around the man's chest. The gentle curve of her fingers, the soft shadow, it speaks to a tenderness and protection, while the darkness of his bowed head suggests a weight he is bearing. This reminds me of some of the history paintings of Delacroix, but without the war or revolution. Art's always in conversation. The painting doesn't give us answers, it gives us a space to ask questions.