Paese amato 1996

Enzo Cucchi created this unsettling cityscape, ‘Paese amato,’ using oil on canvas. The painting is dominated by the presence of disembodied eyes that watch over the city. Eyes, throughout history, have been potent symbols of vigilance, knowledge, and divine oversight. Think of the Eye of Providence, often seen in religious iconography. Here, Cucchi uses eyes of yellow and red, the yellow eyes suggesting watchfulness, while the red hint at something more sinister or wounded. These scattered eyes create a pervasive atmosphere of surveillance. The towers in the background are reminiscent of totems from antiquity; a symbol of power. These eyes staring evoke a deep, subconscious unease, tapping into our collective memory and the primal fear of being watched. These floating eyes have surfaced and evolved, taking on new meanings from their ancient origins to Cucchi's modern interpretation.