Butter Mold 1940

Michael Riccitelli rendered this artwork, ‘Butter Mold,’ in an unknown medium. A circular shape dominates the composition, its texture and material creating an immediate visual focus, one that inspires a rustic feel. The structure within this circle, featuring a bull motif surrounded by flora and a beehive, plays with signs of rural life. The meticulous carving evokes both a sense of tradition and also the semiotic interplay between nature and human craft. How do these shapes and textures challenge our perception? The lack of vibrant colors redirects our attention to the form itself. This pushes us to question how Riccitelli destabilizes conventional artistic values by presenting something so functional as worthy of artistic consideration. Ultimately, this piece functions as a commentary on the intersection of art, labor, and cultural heritage.