L’Incanto 2019

Editor: We're looking at Roberto Ferri's "L’Incanto," created in 2019 with oil paint. I’m immediately struck by the tension – the muscular figure and pristine wings, contrasted with the blindfold and precarious balancing act within the golden circle. What do you see in this piece from a formalist perspective? Curator: Note first the composition. The figure is centrally positioned, creating a sense of stability but consider how Ferri utilizes light. Observe the intense contrast between the illuminated figure and the deep background. This creates drama. Then we consider line, especially the contrast of the soft flowing form of the body, the crisp feather work and the harsh geometrics of the hoop. Editor: The high contrast is intense. And that tight framing really puts focus on the figure and what he's holding. Would you consider the golden ring and the wings to have some meaning in your formalist reading? Curator: The golden circle acts as both a frame within a frame and a compositional device. It highlights the central figure but it is held in place by two opposing elements of the piece, the hand of the subject and a thin golden chain, both acting as key semiotic indicators, highlighting the power and delicateness of this moment. It is pushing against the implied flatness of the canvas, generating visual depth by emphasizing the planes upon which it sits. Are we looking at a circle or sphere? Does it float forward, or sink backward? This gives it additional layers of symbolic meaning that invite further reflection. Editor: It definitely messes with my perception, adding complexity beyond just a flat surface. This tension makes the image so compelling. Thanks for pointing that out! Curator: Absolutely. Considering its formal structure deepens our engagement with Ferri's allegory. A richer aesthetic and intellectual understanding unfolds when we unpack visual relations, materiality, and form.