Synthesis of Aerial Communications 1934

Benedetta Cappa made this painting, Synthesis of Aerial Communications, with oil on canvas. I can only imagine what Cappa was thinking, up there in the sky, floating through space. Is she depicting an aerial view of a landscape, a dream, or a vision of the future? Who knows! It's hard to tell, but there's something about the way she's flattened the forms, creating a kind of layered, geometric landscape. The palette is restrained – blues, greens, grays, and a touch of yellow. These colours create a sense of distance and coolness. I like the way the composition pulls you in, like you're falling through space and time. It makes me wonder about the conversations painters were having at that time, and the way they were re-thinking space, depth, and form. You can imagine her looking at the work of Boccioni or Carra, but doing her own thing. It’s so inspiring, isn’t it?