San Giovanni II 2018

Roberto Ferri, born in 1978, painted this work, San Giovanni II, in oil, with a dark palette and a theatrical spotlight that really makes you feel its Baroque inspiration. I can imagine Ferri in his studio, layering shades of brown and cream to build the figure's form, really trying to capture the tension in the saint's posture. I can relate! It’s so difficult to balance that struggle between representation and expression. I’m sure Ferri was thinking a lot about Caravaggio when he made this. Look how the light glances off the figure's skin, making it feel almost sculptural against the dark background. It's like a dance of shadow and light, a hallmark of the Baroque style, yet with its own modern twist. I bet Ferri felt like he was stepping into a conversation with the masters of the past, echoing their techniques while bringing his own vision to the canvas. We all do! Artists are always responding to one another across time. Every brushstroke is a conversation, an exchange of ideas that inspires creativity.