L’Oracolo 2020

Roberto Ferri’s painting, ‘L’Oracolo,’ emerges from a world of dramatic light and shadow, rendered in the style of the old masters. I can imagine Ferri in his studio, layering glazes of paint, building up the forms with meticulous detail, and making something that feels both classical and intensely personal. The way he’s handled the figures – the supplicants reaching out, the winged figure’s contemplative pose – it’s as if he’s channeling Caravaggio or Artemisia Gentileschi. But there’s something else here too. I get the feeling Ferri might have been thinking about the weight of history, the power of myth, and the vulnerability of the human body. Look at the textures! The smooth skin contrasts with the rough stone and tangled roots, creating a tactile tension that pulls you into the scene. Painters are always in conversation with each other, across time and space. Ferri is continuing a dialogue about beauty, power, and the human condition. It's all about ambiguity, letting the viewer bring their own experiences and interpretations to the work.