Il Bambolo 2016

Manuela Sambo made "Il Bambolo," a circular painting, and it strikes me how the colours are muted, almost ghostly, which gives the whole piece an otherworldly feel. Up close, you can see how the paint is applied in thin layers, creating a smooth, almost porcelain-like surface. The details, like the tiny tattoos on the mother and child, are rendered with such delicate precision, it's as if Sambo is inviting us into a secret, intimate world. The circular frame, mimicking a Renaissance tondo, adds a layer of historical depth. I'm reminded of Frida Kahlo, especially in the way Sambo blends personal symbolism with a raw emotional honesty. It’s the kind of painting that stays with you, inviting multiple interpretations. Like any great work, it embraces ambiguity and keeps the conversation going.