A Pine by the Sea 1921

Carlo Carra painted *A Pine by the Sea* in 1921, a period of profound social and political upheaval in Italy following the First World War. Carra, who once embraced Futurism, by this time had shifted toward a more classical and metaphysical style which speaks to the desire for order amid chaos. Here, the canvas depicts a stark landscape where a solitary pine tree stands near a building, set against the backdrop of the sea. The scene exudes stillness, almost a sense of abandonment. The presence of a simple cloth draped over a rack introduces a domestic element. Yet, this is interrupted by the stark, shadowed form of what appears to be a bunker. Carra’s decision to include such a structure suggests a commentary on the ever present legacy of conflict. Perhaps this is the artist's attempt to reconcile personal and collective memory. The painting acts as a mirror, reflecting both the promise of renewal and the enduring impact of historical events on the Italian psyche.