On the Free Shore 1936

Alessandro Mastro-Valerio made this artwork on a plate with a sheet, creating a quiet scene with intimate and personal qualities. Look at the softness of the figures; the light is gently defining their shapes. Imagine the artist carefully layering each stroke, each line, building up the image through a process of gradual revelation. I wonder what Mastro-Valerio was thinking about as he created this piece? Was he thinking about how to balance the tension and softness, or exploring the human form? Notice how Mastro-Valerio’s work carries echoes of earlier masters, while also forging its own path. Artists are always speaking to one another across time, engaging in a continuous exchange of ideas. Creating art is embodied expression, embracing ambiguity and uncertainty, allowing for multiple interpretations.