Best friends 1934

Romualdo Locatelli’s ‘Best Friends’ was painted in 1934, using expressive brushstrokes, with subtle modulations of brown, white, and blue tones. I can imagine Locatelli applying the paint with gusto, building up layers to capture the girls’ likenesses and the warmth of their friendship. I find myself wondering, what was it like to stand before these two girls, brush in hand? Did he aim for a perfect representation, or was he more interested in conveying their spirit? There’s a real sense of immediacy and presence here. Look at how he renders the girl’s headscarf. See how the texture of the painting comes alive, adding depth and movement to the surface? Painters are always in conversation with one another, across time, inspiring each other’s creativity. In Locatelli's work, I see echoes of the Impressionists, with his broken brushwork and emphasis on light. But he brings his own unique vision to the canvas. Painting, for me, is a form of embodied expression, embracing ambiguity and uncertainty. There is no one way to interpret a painting, and that’s what makes it so exciting.