Il Fanciullo Prodigio 1914

Carlo Carra made this painting, Il Fanciullo Prodigio, with oil on canvas. The colours are muted, earthy – a sort of subdued, old-world palette. It's like he's trying to capture a memory, not just a scene. There’s a real physicality to the paint here. You can see the texture, the way he's layered it on, especially in the boy's face. It is almost sculptural. The red stripes in the background feel raw, like quick gestures, while the boy's suit is more carefully rendered. Look closely at the trumpet – the way the gold almost glows against the rough background. It’s such a playful contrast. Carrà has this way of making you feel like you’re peeking into a dream. He reminds me a bit of Giorgio de Chirico, another Italian artist who was interested in dreams and the subconscious. It's art that invites you to wander, to get lost in the possibilities.