L´ora Fatale 

Filippo De Pisis created this piece, whose title translates to “The Fatal Hour,” using mixed media on paper. De Pisis, who was openly gay, lived and worked in a tumultuous interwar Italy, under the shadow of Mussolini’s fascist regime. In this still life, objects become stand-ins for his identity as a cosmopolitan, queer man. The Ephemeral nature of cut flowers, centrally framed in a blue locket, speaks to the fragility of beauty and perhaps hints at the fleeting nature of life and love. The juxtaposition of western and eastern cultural symbols – a playing card featuring a knight and a Chinese-style mask – creates an intersection where one can examine the artist’s negotiation of different identities, be they imposed or chosen. As De Pisis navigated both personal and political landscapes, "L'ora Fatale" becomes a poignant exploration of the self amidst shifting cultural terrains. The contrast in styles, with some elements more clearly defined than others, emphasizes how we curate and perform aspects of ourselves in relation to the world.