In illo tempore 1999

Claudio Bravo, a hyperrealist painter born in Valparaíso, Chile, painted "In illo tempore" with oil on canvas. Bravo, who was openly gay, spent much of his life navigating a world where his identity was often at odds with societal norms. In this painting, we are confronted with layers of fabric, each fold rendered with meticulous detail. The interplay of light and shadow creates a sense of depth, inviting us to explore the texture and weight of the material. The title, "In illo tempore," Latin for "in that time," suggests a longing for a romanticized past, hinting at the artist's personal history. Bravo developed an alternative narrative within the traditionally conservative genre of still life. His ability to transform ordinary fabric into something sensuous and captivating speaks to his skill as a painter and the power of art to transcend boundaries. We are left to contemplate the quiet beauty of the everyday, and perhaps, find a moment of solace within it.