Daphne at Paravola 1934

Felice Casorati made this painting, Daphne at Paravola, with oils on canvas, and I can imagine it came into being quite slowly, with the artist layering colours, shifting the composition, until the figure and the landscape just emerged from the paint. I sympathize with Casorati, imagining how he may have wanted to create a piece which was also a study of light and shadow. The cool blues and greens create a sense of serenity, while the textured brushstrokes add depth and dimension. The drape on the right almost fades away, but the shadow of the figure and landscape beyond are so vivid! You can see the weight of her hands and the weight of the landscape behind her too. I wonder if Casorati knew other painters interested in light like Vilhelm Hammershøi? Artists are in an ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas across time, inspiring one another’s creativity. Painting is embodied expression which embraces ambiguity, allowing for multiple interpretations.