Scissione 2019

Roberto Ferri made this arresting oil painting, "Scissione," sometime around now. The palette is tight, almost monochrome, a beautiful study in browns, sepias, and ambers. It's all about the way light caresses the skin, making art a dance with light and shadow. Up close, you see how Ferri builds up the surface. It's not just smooth blending; there's a physicality to the paint, especially around the face and shoulders, giving weight and presence to the figure. Look at the furrowed brow and the corner of the eye – each line seems etched with emotion, a testament to the artist’s hand and eye working together. The background is plain, which directs your focus on the human form, its volume and form. This painting reminds me of Caravaggio's dramatic use of light, but with Ferri's own contemporary twist. It's a reminder that art is always in conversation with the past. The title, "Scissione," or "splitting" hints at inner turmoil. Art often leaves us with more questions than answers, and that's a good thing.